Shorter rapid eye movement sleep duration in children with attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder: the impact on quality of life

Objectives: The relationship of sleep with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains complex and unclear. The current study aimed to compare the subjective and objective sleep parameters among children with and without ADHD. Moreover, to address the effect of sleep parameters on the quality of life (QoL). Methods: We assessed 42 participants who were children with ADHD (aged 6–12 years), with predominant combined presentation (23), compared to 42 healthy children, who underwent a sleep study assessment subjectively (the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire), and objectively (one-night Polysomnographic recording). Also, parents completed the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL-P). Results: Children with ADHD had more subjective sleep problems. ADHD patients also had a significant decrease in total sleep time and sleep efficiency, spending more time in wake and N1 sleep stages. Moreover, they had significantly lower rapid eye movement (REM)sleep duration and less duration of deep sleep stages. Multivariate regression analysis showed that REM sleep duration was the most contributing and predictive factor to QoL and school function impairment. Conclusion: Children with ADHD have a significantly lower sleep quantity and poor sleep quality. In addition, short REM sleep duration independently contributes to further deterioration in different areas of QoL.