Sleep Problems and Associated Comorbidities Among Adults with Down Syndrome

Overview

Journal J Intellect Disabil Res

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2015 Nov 3

PMID 26521721

Citations 19

Authors

A J Esbensen

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background: Sleep problems, including sleep apnoea and behavioural sleep disturbances, are common among adults with Down syndrome (DS). Despite a preliminary understanding of potential medical and behavioural comorbidities of these sleep problems among children with DS, little is known about comorbid conditions associated with these sleep problems among adults with DS. Understanding causes and sequelae of sleep problems in this ageing population is essential to providing quality health screening and treatment. The current study examines the physical health problems, mental health conditions, functional abilities and behavioural problems associated with sleep apnoea and behavioural sleep disturbances among adults with DS.

Method: Family caregivers participated in clinical interviews and completed questionnaires, providing reports regarding 75 adults with DS. Caregivers reported on sleep problems, physical and mental health conditions, daily living skills and behaviours regarding their ageing family member with DS.

Results: Sleep apnoea was associated with more common other respiratory concerns, and more frequent visits to physicians, but not with some expected medical comorbidities (cardiac). Behavioural sleep disturbances (delayed sleep onset, night-time awakenings and morning awakenings) were associated with poorer health, more frequent overnight hospital and emergency department visits, more common cardiac conditions, less common thyroid condition, more common mental health conditions (anxiety, depression and dementia) and a higher rate of daytime behaviour problems.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that there are differential correlates for the various sleep problems in adults with DS, which warrant attention when screening for medical and mental health comorbidities, assessing behavioural problems and in treatment planning for ageing adults with DS.

Citing Articles

Examining the Relation Between Sleep Problems and Behavioural Challenges in Youth With Down Syndrome.

Soltani A, Wiley S, Williams-Arya P, Hoffman E, Esbensen A J Intellect Disabil Res. 2025; 69(4):310-317.

PMID: 39929193 PMC: 11876485. DOI: 10.1111/jir.13213.

Association Between Lifestyle Patterns and Abdominal Obesity with Biochemical and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adolescents with Down Syndrome: The UP&DOWN Study.

Gutierrez-Hervas A, Nova E, Izquierdo-Gomez R, Veiga O, Padilla C, Castro-Pinero J Nutrients. 2024; 16(22).

PMID: 39599670 PMC: 11597796. DOI: 10.3390/nu16223884.

Role of child demographic, executive functions, and behavioral challenges on feelings about parenting among parents of youth with Down syndrome.

Soltani A, Esbensen A Res Dev Disabil. 2024; 148:104717.

PMID: 38479073 PMC: 11031302. DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104717.

Emotional and behavioral features associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Fuca E, Costanzo F, Galassi P, Celestini L, Villani A, Valentini D Front Psychol. 2024; 14:1294908.

PMID: 38379845 PMC: 10878309. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1294908.

Cardiovascular Complications of Down Syndrome: Scoping Review and Expert Consensus.

Dimopoulos K, Constantine A, Clift P, Condliffe R, Moledina S, Jansen K Circulation. 2023; 147(5):425-441.

PMID: 36716257 PMC: 9977420. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.059706.

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