Sleep-related difficulties and decreased sleep quality among adolescents with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Objectives: To assess the presence of sleep-related problems and sleep quality and their associates in adolescents with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Methods: Sleep patterns were evaluated in a cohort of adolescents (aged 12-18 years) with ongoing IIH and compared to healthy age- and sex-matched control group. All participants responded to 3 self-rating questionnaires: the School Sleep Habits Survey (SHSS, which assesses sleep habits, sleep quality, and disordered sleep), the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ, which evaluates sleep-related breathing disorders), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The study group’s demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data were documented and their association with sleep patterns was examined. Results: Thirty-three adolescents with ongoing IIH and 71 healthy controls were included. There was a significantly higher prevalence of sleep-related problems in the IIH group compared with the controls (SSHS, P < .001 and PSQ, P < .001), and their independent subscales: sleep-related breathing disorders (P = .006), daytime sleepiness (P = .04), sleep/wake disruptions (P < .001), and sleep-related depressive tendencies (P < .001). These differences were not present between overweight individuals but were present in normal-weight IIH subjects and controls. Analysis of the IIH subgroup demonstrated no difference between individuals with disrupted and normal sleep patterns in terms of demographic, anthropometric, and IIH disease-related clinical measures. Conclusions: Sleep-related problems are common among adolescents with ongoing IIH, irrespective of their weight and disease-related characteristics. Screening adolescents with IIH for sleep-related problems is recommended since an intervention may improve their quality of life and outcomes.
Keywords: IIH, Sleep disorders, pappiledema