Parent-reported sleep problems in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: relationship to health-related quality of life

Introduction Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) can present a variety of clinical symptoms that may affect their sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aims to investigate the relation between sleep problems and HRQOL in children and adolescents with SCD. Material and methods The sample included 86 children and adolescents in the SCD patient group and 82 healthy controls, with an age range of 8–16 years. Subjects for the study were recruited from the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Center of Hatay State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to evaluate sleep problems and Kinder Lebensqualitätsfragebogen: Children’s Quality of Life Questionnaire – revised (KINDL-R) was used to examine HRQOL. Results Total score, bedtime resistance, and night waking subscores of CSHQ were significantly higher in children with SCD when compared to healthy children. Total score, physical well-being, emotional well-being, social, and school subscores of KINDL-R were significantly lower in the patient group. Among SCD children, total score, bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, daytime sleepiness, and parasomnias subscores of CSHQ were negatively correlated with KINDL-R total score. In the regression model, disease severity and CSHQ total score had significant negative associations with KINDL-R total score. Conclusions Sleep problems in SCD children appear to be negatively linked with HRQOL. Disease severity and sleep problems may be predictors of overall HRQOL in children and adolescents with SCD.