Mediation of pediatric atopic dermatitis in emotional and behavioral outcomes by sleep disturbance

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood.

Objective

To evaluate sleep disturbance and sleep duration as potential mediators between AD and emotional/behavioral problems in children across childhood.

Methods

We performed mediation analyses at 3 timepoints using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort in the United Kingdom. The exposure was child's AD status, categorized as no AD, inactive AD, mild active AD, or moderate/severe active AD. Mediators were maternal-reported child sleep disturbances and total 24-hour sleep duration. Outcomes were emotional and behavioral problems assessed through the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and depressive symptoms through the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors.

Results

More active/severe AD was associated with greater sleep disturbance and higher levels of emotional/behavioral problems across all timepoints. Mediation models revealed significant direct effects of active AD on SDQ total difficulties. Indirect effects mediated by sleep duration were minimal (<1% of total effect), whereas those mediated by sleep disturbance were significant across AD severity strata for SDQ (6.5%-26.7% of total effect) and Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (10.9%-14.0% of total effect). Bedtime refusal and early awakenings were most strongly associated with clinically concerning SDQ scores.

Conclusion

Sleep disturbance significantly mediates the association between AD and emotional/behavioral problems in children. Interventions targeting sleep may be 1 approach to reducing the psychological burden of AD in pediatric populations.