Evaluation of sleep problems, quality of life and chronotype characteristics in children with primary headache

Abstract

Aim: Primary headaches are prevalent in children and negatively affects quality of life and sleep. This research aimed to compare the sleep, quality of life, and chronotype characteristics of children with primary headaches to healthy controls.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients were selected based on a diagnosis according to the "International Headache Classification-3". The "Sleep Disorders Scale for Children (SDSC)" assessed sleep characteristics, the "Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)" evaluated quality of life, and the "Childhood Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ)" examined chronotype preferences of patients and controls. Statistical analysis considered a p-value less than 0.05 as significant.

Results: The study enrolled 50 patients with primary headaches and 50 healthy controls. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the physical, psychosocial, and total scores of the PedsQL, and in the sleep initiation, wakefulness transition, excessive sleepiness, and total scores of the SDSC (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the groups regarding chronotype preferences (p=0.401). The SDSC sleep sweating score was a significant predictor of the CCQ score.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that primary headaches in children and adolescents demonstrate an association with impaired quality of life and increased sleep problems, suggesting the need to address sleep and psychosocial issues in their evaluation. The lack of difference in chronotype preference may relate to the sample size and age range. Future studies with larger samples and specific age groups may provide more objective data.