0924 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SLEEP DISTURBANCE AMONG CHILDREN WITH CONCUSSION

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that gender differences exist among children who sustain concussions. Furthermore, there is evidence that sleep quality plays a significant role in the experience/severity of concussion. It is unknown however if gender plays a modulatory role in the extent of sleep disturbance noted after sustaining a concussion. This study sought to determine whether there are gender differences in sleep disturbance associated with concussion severity in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents (ages 9 to 19, N=1971) with a recent history of concussion were evaluated prospectively through IMPACT testing and clinical evaluation. The data obtained included presence and absence of concussion related symptoms including mood changes, headache, and sleep quality measures including fatigue, daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep, sleeping more or less than usual, and recent sleep duration. Composite scores of sleep quality and concussion related symptoms were log transformed and analyzed using univariate analysis. Females experienced significantly more sleep quality disturbance compared to males (F(2,1964)=13.28, p<0.001). In addition female participants with poor sleep quality were more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to male participants (F(1,1964)=3.64, p=0.04). Lastly, female participants with higher levels of sleep disturbance were more likely to experience headaches after a concussion compared to male participants with higher levels of sleep disturbance (F(2,1964)=8.24, p<0.001). Our study demonstrates that sleep quality differs by gender among children with concussion. This suggests that healthcare providers, schools, athletic trainers, and coaches may need to evaluate concussion differently, taking into account gender and extent of sleep disturbance as recovery may differ depending on these factors. Further evaluation is necessary to better understand these sleep-related gender differences. This research is supported by Georgetown University funds.