Somatic Symptoms in Adolescents With an Ill Parent.

OBJECTIVE: Parent chronic illness may increase somatic symptomology risk in children. The current study examines this association in relation to a variety of chronic illnesses and also considers possible related parental and adolescent background factors. METHODS: Secondary analyses used longitudinal data from the University of North Carolina National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Interviews were used to assess demographics, adolescent somatic symptoms, living situation, and parental illness and general physical health. Somatic symptoms in adolescents with no ill parents (n = 2302 adolescents; Mage = 15.3) were compared with adolescents with ill mothers (n = 2336; Mage = 15.3), ill fathers (n = 1304; Mage = 15.3), or two ill parents (n = 3768; Mage = 15.3) using Poisson regression models. We also examined the role of living status, adolescent sex, and parent general physical health on somatic symptom outcomes. RESULTS: Elevated somatic symptoms were observed in adolescents with ill mothers (mean ratio [MR] = 1.15, p = .015) and with both parents ill (MR = 1.10, p < .001). Among adolescents with ill parents, females had more symptoms than males (ill mother: MR = 1.12, p < .001; ill father: MR = 1.23, p < .001; and both parents ill: MR = 1.23, p < .001). Poorer maternal physical health also increased somatic symptom risk (MR = 1.12, p = .02). Longitudinally, adolescents with ill mothers (MR = 1.14, p < .001), ill fathers (MR = 1.13, p < .001), or both parents ill (MR = 1.16, p < .001) had increased somatic symptom risk. Wave I somatic symptoms also increased future risk: ill mother (MR = 1.19, p < .001), ill father (MR = 1.22, p < .001), or both parents ill (MR = 1.20, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight that having an ill parent is a risk factor for adolescent somatic symptoms. In addition, other factors such as adolescent sex play an additional role in adolescent somatic symptoms.

Quality of Life in Youth With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Treated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Improvement is sought for youth with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) who have poor quality of life (QoL), which resolves somewhat following treatment. One mitigating factor in improved QoL following treatment may be adherence to the CPAP protocol, which presents a barrier to most youth. This study explored relations between CPAP adherence and QoL in youth with OSAS. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited 42 youth-caregiver dyads in which youth between the ages of 8 and 16 years were diagnosed with OSAS and required CPAP use as part of their treatment plan. METHODS: Following diagnosis of OSAS requiring treatment with CPAP therapy, caregivers completed baseline measures of OSAS-specific QoL. The OSAS-specific QoL domains assessed included sleep disturbance, physical symptoms, emotional distress, daytime function, and caregiver concern. Families received routine CPAP care for three months, after which caregivers again completed measures of OSAS-specific QoL. Adherence data were collected from smartcards within the CPAP machine after three months of treatment. RESULTS: Fifteen youth were adherent to CPAP therapy and 10 were not adherent. CPAP-adherent youth demonstrated significant changes in two domains of OSAS-specific QoL when compared to nonadherent youth: decreased sleep disturbance and decreased caregiver concern. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP adherence appears to be associated with positive changes in OSAS-specific QoL domains. It will be important for future research and clinical work to examine strategies for improving CPAP adherence in youth with OSAS.