Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria (Jun 2012)

Quality of sleep and quality of life in adolescents infected with human immunodeficiency virus

  • Carina Caires Gazini,
  • Rubens Nelson do Amaral Assis Reimão,
  • Sueli Regina Gottochilich Rossini,
  • Maraisa Centeville,
  • Tais Nitsch Mazzola,
  • Maria Marluce dos Santos Vilela,
  • Marcos Tadeu Nolasco da Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2012000600008
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 70, no. 6
pp. 422 – 427

Abstract

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OBJECTIVES: To assess sleep characteristics of adolescents infected by HIV, and to ascertain whether psychosocial aspects are associated to the quality of sleep. METHODS: A cross-sectional study assessing 102 HIV-infected adolescents of both genders, aged between 10 and 20 years-old and 120 Controls. Data collection was performed by applying the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. RESULTS: A sleep disturbance prevalence of 77.4% was found in patients, and a 75% prevalence in controls, and there was correlation between quality of sleep and of life. HIV-infected adolescents scored higher for sleep breathing disorders and had higher prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected adolescents had similar quality of sleep compared to healthy adolescents. This may be explained by the steady improvements in daily living as a result of successful anti-retroviral therapy, and by the vulnerability that affects Brazilian adolescents living in major urban centers.

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