SLEEP IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), the most prevalent form of arthritis in childhood, is a disease of unknown etiology, and its course is variable and characterized by episodic remissions and exacerbations. Recent findings suggest that sleep is disrupted in children with JRA. Sleep disturbances in this vulnerable population include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, early morning awakening, and excessive daytime sleepiness. At present, we do not know the severity of disturbed sleep in children with JRA, nor do we understand how much disturbed sleep contributes to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired performance. Our recent longitudinal study of sleep patterns in children with JRA suggests that sleep disturbances are more likely to occur during periods of arthritic flare. Sleep quality may be an important predictor of how children experience symptoms of the disease, but this has not been reported, or is simply unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess sleep, daytime sleepiness, performance and symptom experience in children with JRA during a week of arthritic flare or during a week of remission. Findings from this study will provide the foundation for designing subsequent intervention studies to enhance the quality of sleep in children living with chronic pain.