Russell Maureen, Baldwin Carol M, McClain Darya, Matthews Nicole, Smith Christopher, Quan Stuart F
College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Phoenix, AZ.
J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Jan 15;13(1):105-113. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.6400.
In this study, we investigated the prevalence of symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in biological caregivers of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The relationship of RLS symptoms to caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was also examined. Finally, we compared the sleep quality and daytime behaviors of children with ASD in caregivers with and without symptoms of RLS.
Biological caregivers (n = 50) of children ages 6 to 11 y with a diagnosis of ASD completed a Sleep Habits Questionnaire (SHQ) that included RLS as determined by four questions. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) 12-Item Short Form (SF-12). Caregivers also completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6/18).
Eleven caregivers (22%) fit the criteria for RLS symptomatology and caregivers with RLS reported poorer mental health. Caregivers with RLS described more night waking and greater internalized behavior problems in their children with ASD than the caregivers without RLS.
Biological caregivers of children with ASD demonstrated a high prevalence of RLS symptoms and poorer mental health. RLS is known as a sleep disorder that has strong heritability, and it is possible that many of the children with ASD also have symptoms of RLS. RLS as a possible disruptor of sleep should be considered in caregivers and in their children with ASD.
在本研究中，我们调查了被诊断为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的亲生照料者中不安腿综合征（RLS）症状的患病率。还研究了RLS症状与照料者健康相关生活质量（HRQoL）之间的关系。最后，我们比较了有和没有RLS症状的照料者所照料的ASD儿童的睡眠质量和白天行为。
50名年龄在6至11岁、其孩子被诊断为ASD的亲生照料者完成了一份睡眠习惯问卷（SHQ），其中包括通过四个问题确定的RLS情况。使用医疗结果调查（MOS）12项简表（SF - 12）评估HRQoL。照料者还完成了儿童睡眠习惯问卷（CSHQ）和儿童行为清单（CBCL6/18）。
11名照料者（22%）符合RLS症状标准，有RLS的照料者报告心理健康较差。与没有RLS的照料者相比，有RLS的照料者称其患有ASD的孩子夜间醒来更多，内化行为问题更严重。
ASD儿童的亲生照料者中RLS症状患病率较高，心理健康较差。RLS是一种遗传性很强的睡眠障碍，许多ASD儿童可能也有RLS症状。应考虑RLS可能是照料者及其ASD孩子睡眠的干扰因素。
