Establishing prevalence of OSA in children with epilepsy

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Investigation of sleep quality and prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in children and young people with epilepsy

  • IRAS ID

    217160

  • Contact name

    Don Urquhart

  • Contact email

    don.urquhart@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    NHS Lothian R+D Department

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 11 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    BACKGROUND:
    Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with adverse effects on learning, and measurable IQ deficit. Such effects may be especially important to children with epilepsy (CWE), in whom cognitive impairment is reported in 20-30%.

    OSA prevalence in children with epilepsy is reported as high [31-55%], including a pilot study undertaken by our team in Edinburgh using questionnaires to ascertain estimated prevalence. There are, however methodological issues with these data. Studies where polysomnography (PSG) has been undertaken are limited, retrospective, and contain selection bias; whilst prospective data are sparse, and limited to questionnaire studies. The exact nature of the relationship between epilepsy and OSA is therefore unclear.

    AIMS:
    To define OSA prevalence in CWE using polysomnography [detailed sleep studies].

    HYPOTHESIS:
    OSA prevalence is increased in children with epilepsy.

    PRIMARY OUTCOME:
    To define prevalence and severity of OSA in CWE versus controls.
    Secondary outcomes include sleep quality, sleep fragmentation, and seizure frequency.

    OUTLINE PLAN OF RESEARCH:
    CWE and healthy sibling controls will each undergo polysomnography to facilitate accurate sleep staging, sleep quality measurement, seizure assessment and scoring of respiratory events. Data will also be collected on anticonvulsant therapy as well as completion of validated sleep questionnaires, including the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

    This methodology should enable the ascertainment of a true prevalence of OSA in a prospective cohort of children with epilepsy.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 01

  • REC reference

    16/SS/0195

  • Date of REC Opinion

    22 Dec 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion