Investigation of the relationship of Coronavirus anxiety with sleeping habits and quality of life in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of coronavirus anxiety on quality of life and sleep habits in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during the pandemic process and to compare these effects with the control group. METHODS: The study was designed as observational case and control, carried out in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics in two centers. The groups consisted of 94 cases diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in 12-16 months of the pandemic, and 94 gender-matched control groups. Sociodemographic and clinical data form inquiring about COVID-19 and sleeping habits, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were applied to all participants. RESULTS: Seventy-six female and 112 males, and a total of 188 children were included in our study. Comparison of ADHD and control groups revealed significantly higher scores in the ADHD group for CAS, PedsQL and its subscales (physical health, psychosocial health), PSQI, and most of its subscales (excluding Sleep Duration and Use of Sleep Medication subscales). In ADHD group, we found a weak negative correlation of CAS scores with PedsQL and its subscale scores, however CAS scores were strongly correlated with PSQI scores, and PSQI and its subscale scores were strongly correlated with PedsQL and its subscale scores. PSQI Use of Sleep Medication subscale was not significantly correlated with PedsQL or CAS. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study was conducted long after the period when strict measures for pandemic were implemented, it was observed that the concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic continued, and the sleep and life quality of children with ADHD were more adversely affected compared to the control group.