The relationship between sensory hypersensitivity and sleep quality of children with atopic dermatitis

This study aims to investigate the impact of sensory hypersensitivity in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to evaluate a possible relationship between sensory hypersensitivity, sleep quality and disease severity in AD. Fifty-seven AD patients and 37 healthy children, aged 3-10 years, participated in this study. Disease severity was assessed using the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Score. The sensory profile was assessed using the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and sleep characteristics were evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). The AD group demonstrated significantly worse sleep quality compared with the controls in the following CSHQ subscales: sleep duration; parasomnias; sleep disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness. Sensory hypersensitivity was correlated with lower sleeping quality. Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Scores was positively correlated with sleep anxiety and with parasomnias. Sensory hypersensitivity and disturbed sleep patterns were common in the children with AD that participated in this study. A possible common underlying mechanism of hyper-arousability may account for both phenomena. Evaluation of AD children should also refer to their sensory processing abilities and sleep habits to create optimal intervention programs that will be better focused on the child and family needs.