Childhood Adversity and Sleep Disturbances: Longitudinal Results in Puerto Rican Children.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Exposure to childhood adversities (CA) is associated with sleep disturbances; however, evidence has largely been drawn from cross-sectional data and has not addressed the relationship across developmental stages. Also, most studies have primarily focused on non-Hispanic White cohorts with a dearth of longitudinal evidence about racial/ethnic minorities. We examined the longitudinal association between CA and sleep disturbances in Puerto Rican youth.Method
The Boricua Youth Study is a longitudinal study of Puerto Rican youth living in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the South Bronx, NY (N = 2491). Among youth 5-9 and 10-16 years old, sleep disturbances were assessed through three yearly interviews. Lifetime exposure to CA included parental loss, child maltreatment, parental maladjustment, and exposure to violence. Weighted generalized linear mixed models examined the longitudinal association between CA and sleep disturbances in youth adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual covariates.Results
The prevalence of sleep disturbances was similar in both age groups (ages 5-9 and 10-16). In multivariable mixed models, CA were associated with sleep disturbance across three Waves among 10-16-year-olds. For example, having 2-3 or ≥ 4 types of CA were related to a higher prevalence of trouble falling/staying asleep in models adjusting for social context, gender, welfare status, or mother's education. No associations were observed among 5-9-year-olds.Conclusion
The results suggest that cumulative adversities in childhood may lead to sleep problems in adolescence. These findings highlight the utility of addressing CA during childhood to help reduce sleep-wake disorders throughout adolescence, a known risk factor for future mental and physical health problems.
SUBMITTER: April-Sanders A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8451244 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:ObjectiveEvidence stemming largely from retrospective studies suggests that childhood adversity (CA) is associated with earlier age at menarche, a marker of pubertal timing, among girls. Little is known about associations with pubertal tempo among boys or racial/ethnic minorities. We examined the association between CA and timing and tempo of pubertal development among boys and girls.MethodsThe Boricua Youth Study is a longitudinal study of Puerto Rican youth residing in the San Juan metro area in Puerto Rico and the South Bronx, New York. CA was based on caretaker reports of parental loss and parental maladjustment and youth reports of child maltreatment and exposure to violence. Youth completed the Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) yearly for 3 years. In linear mixed models stratified by sex, we examined the association between CA and pubertal timing and tempo, adjusting for site, socioeconomic status, and age.ResultsAmong the 1949 children who were 8 years or older by wave 3, cumulative CA was associated with higher PDS scores among girls compared with girls not exposed to CA (PDS score: 2.63 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 2.55-2.71] versus 2.48 [95% CI = 2.37-2.58]). In contrast, among boys, experiencing adversities was associated with lower pubertal developmental stage or later timing (PDS: 1.77 [95% CI = 1.67-1.87] versus 1.97 [95% CI = 1.85-2.10]) compared with those not exposed to adversities.ConclusionsAssociations between CA and pubertal development may vary by sex. Understanding the etiological role of adversities on pubertal development and identifying targets for intervention are of utmost importance in ameliorating the impact of CA on child health.
| S-EPMC8058697 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Puerto Ricans are a racially admixed population, that consists of European, African and Native American ancestrie. Understanding eQTL patterns in Puerto Ricans should help us elucidate both regulation of gene expression and disease causation in racially admixed populations in general, and in Hispanic subgroups in particular.
2014-11-08 | GSE63098 | GEO
Project description:RationaleEpigenetic and/or genetic variation in the gene encoding the receptor for adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide 1 (ADCYAP1R1) has been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder in adults and anxiety in children. Psychosocial stress has been linked to asthma morbidity in Puerto Rican children.ObjectivesTo examine whether epigenetic or genetic variation in ADCYAP1R1 is associated with childhood asthma in Puerto Ricans.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study of 516 children ages 6-14 years living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We assessed methylation at a CpG site in the promoter of ADCYAP1R1 (cg11218385) using a pyrosequencing assay in DNA from white blood cells. We tested whether cg11218385 methylation (range, 0.4-6.1%) is associated with asthma using logistic regression. We also examined whether exposure to violence (assessed by the Exposure to Violence [ETV] Scale in children 9 yr and older) is associated with cg11218385 methylation (using linear regression) or asthma (using logistic regression). Logistic regression was used to test for association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in ADCYAP1R1 (rs2267735) and asthma under an additive model. All multivariate models were adjusted for age, sex, household income, and principal components.Measurements and main resultsEACH 1% increment in cg11218385 methylation was associated with increased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.6; P = 0.03). Among children 9 years and older, exposure to violence was associated with cg11218385 methylation. The C allele of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2267735 was significantly associated with increased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.67; P = 0.03).ConclusionsEpigenetic and genetic variants in ADCYAP1R1 are associated with asthma in Puerto Rican children.
| S-EPMC3733434 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence of and morbidity from asthma of all ethnic groups in the United States. One potential contributor to the high burden of asthma in Puerto Rican children is exposure to stress and violence.To examine whether exposure to stress and violence is associated with an increased risk of asthma among Puerto Rican children.This study was a population-based probability sample of children in the San Juan and Caguas metropolitan areas in Puerto Rico. Information was collected in a household survey of 1,213 children and their primary caretakers.The prevalence of lifetime physician-diagnosed asthma was 39.6%. In the year before the survey, 14% of children had witnessed an act of violence, 7% had been victims of violence, and 6% had been victims of physical or sexual abuse. Although stressful life events and exposure to neighborhood violence were not associated with asthma, a history of physical or sexual abuse was associated with approximately twice the odds of current asthma (odd ratio [OR], 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-5.00), health care use for asthma (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.96-3.96), and medication use for asthma (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.05-5.26).Physical or sexual abuse is associated with high asthma morbidity among Puerto Rican children. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between childhood abuse and asthma. Our findings highlight the importance of screening for asthma among victims of childhood abuse, and to be aware of the possibility of physical or sexual abuse among children with asthma.
| S-EPMC2542427 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe Boston Puerto Rican Health Study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study designed to examine the role of psychosocial stress on presence and development of allostatic load and health outcomes in Puerto Ricans, and potential modification by nutritional status, genetic variation, and social support.MethodsSelf-identified Puerto Ricans, aged 45-75 years and residing in the Boston, MA metro area, were recruited through door-to-door enumeration and community approaches. Participants completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires and tests. Blood, urine and salivary samples were extracted for biomarker and genetic analysis. Measurements are repeated at a two-year follow-up.ResultsA total of 1500 eligible participants completed baseline measurements, with nearly 80% two-year follow-up retention. The majority of the cohort is female (70%), and many have less than 8th grade education (48%), and fall below the poverty level (59%). Baseline prevalence of health conditions is high for this age range: considerable physical (26%) and cognitive (7%) impairment, obesity (57%), type 2 diabetes (40%), hypertension (69%), arthritis (50%) and depressive symptomatology (60%).ConclusionsThe enrollment of minority groups presents unique challenges. This report highlights approaches to working with difficult to reach populations, and describes some of the health issues and needs of Puerto Rican older adults. These results may inform future studies and interventions aiming to improve the health of this and similar communities.
| S-EPMC2848197 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPuerto Ricans share a disproportionate burden of childhood asthma in the United States. Little is known about the impact of low parental numeracy (a health literacy skill) on asthma morbidity in Puerto Rican children. Our objective was to examine whether low parental numeracy is associated with increased asthma morbidity in Puerto Rican children.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 351 children with asthma, aged 6 to 14 years, living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Parents of study participants completed a modified version of the Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire. Multivariate linear or logistic regression was used to examine the relation between low parental numeracy (defined as no correct answers in the modified Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire) and indicators of asthma morbidity (severe asthma exacerbations, core measures of asthma exacerbations, and lung function measures). All multivariate models were adjusted for age, sex, household income, reported use of inhaled corticosteroids in the previous 6 months, and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.ResultsLow parental numeracy was associated with increased odds of visits to the ED or urgent care for asthma (adjusted OR [aOR]=1.7, 95% CI=1.03-2.7, P=.04). The association between low parental numeracy and hospitalizations for asthma was significant only among children not using inhaled corticosteroids (aOR=2.8, 95% CI=1.4-5.6, P=.004). There was no association between low parental numeracy and use of systemic steroids or lung function measures.ConclusionsLow parental numeracy is associated with increased asthma morbidity in Puerto Rican children.
| S-EPMC3707180 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundLittle is known about atopic dermatitis (AD) among children in Puerto Rico.ObjectiveTo examine risk factors and identify approaches to better diagnose AD in Puerto Rican children.MethodsCase-control study of AD among 540 children aged 6-14 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. AD was defined as: 1) physician-diagnosed AD, 2) RAST-AD: AD symptoms plus ≥1 positive IgE to allergens, and 3) STR-AD: AD-symptoms and skin test reactivity to ≥1 allergen. Logistic regression was used for the multivariable analysis. We also evaluated the diagnostic performance of various approaches by comparing their sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV], and area under curve [AUC]).ResultsOf the 70 children with STR-AD, only 5 (7.1%) had PD-AD. In children without asthma, a positive IgE to Dermatophagoides (D.) pteronyssinus and signs of mold/mildew at home were significantly associated with 3.3 and 5 times increased odds of STR-AD, respectively. Among children with asthma, private/employer-based health insurance and a positive IgE to D. pteronyssinus were each significantly associated with approximately twofold increased odds of STR-AD. A combination of current eczema symptoms and a positive IgE to D. pteronyssinus yielded a sensitivity ≥ 70%, specificity and NPV ≥ 95%, PPV ≥ 88%, and an AUC ≥ 0.85 for STR-AD. Replacing a positive IgE to D. pteronyssinus with a positive IgE to ≥1 allergen slightly increased sensitivity without affecting other parameters.ConclusionsAD is markedly under-diagnosed by physicians in Puerto Rico. This could be improved by assessing eczema symptoms and measuring IgEs to common allergens.
| S-EPMC6439410 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Vitamin D insufficiency (a serum 25(OH)D <30 ng/ml) has been associated with severe asthma exacerbations, but this could be explained by underlying racial ancestry or disease severity. Little is known about vitamin D and asthma in Puerto Ricans.To examine whether vitamin D insufficiency is associated with severe asthma exacerbations in Puerto Rican children, independently of racial ancestry, atopy, and time outdoors.A cross-sectional study was conducted of 560 children ages 6-14 years with (n = 287) and without (n = 273) asthma in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We measured plasma vitamin D and estimated the percentage of African racial ancestry among participants using genome-wide genotypic data. We tested whether vitamin D insufficiency is associated with severe asthma exacerbations, lung function, or atopy (greater than or equal to one positive IgE to allergens) using logistic or linear regression. Multivariate models were adjusted for African ancestry, time outdoors, atopy, and other covariates.Vitamin D insufficiency was common in children with (44%) and without (47%) asthma. In multivariate analyses, vitamin D insufficiency was associated with higher odds of greater than or equal to one severe asthma exacerbation in the prior year (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-4.9; P = 0.001) and atopy, and a lower FEV(1)/FVC in cases. After stratification by atopy, the magnitude of the association between vitamin D insufficiency and severe exacerbations was greater in nonatopic (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2-21.6; P = 0.002) than in atopic (OR, 2; 95% CI, 1-4.1; P = 0.04) cases.Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with severe asthma exacerbations in Puerto Rican children, independently of racial ancestry, atopy, or markers of disease severity or control.
| S-EPMC3406083 | biostudies-other
Project description:Changes in dietary patterns may partly explain the epidemic of asthma in industrialized countries. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and lung function and asthma exacerbations in Puerto Rican children. This is a case-control study of 678 Puerto Rican children (ages 6-14 years) in San Juan (Puerto Rico). All participants completed a respiratory health questionnaire and a 75-item food frequency questionnaire. Food items were aggregated into 7 groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, fats, and sweets. Logistic regression was used to evaluate consumption frequency of each group and asthma. Based on the results, a dietary score was created [range from -2 (unhealthy diet: high consumption of dairy and sweets, low consumption of vegetables and grains) to 2 (healthy diet: high consumption of vegetables and grains and low consumption of dairy and sweet)]. Multivariable linear or logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between dietary score and lung function or asthma exacerbations. After adjustment for covariates, a healthier diet (each 1-point increment in dietary score) was associated with significantly higher %predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and %predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) in control subjects. Dietary pattern alone was not associated with asthma exacerbations, but children with an unhealthy diet and vitamin D insufficiency (plasma 25(OH)D <30?ng/mL) had higher odds of ?1 severe asthma exacerbation [odds ratio (OR)?=?3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?1.5-7.5] or ?1 hospitalization due to asthma (OR?=?3.9, 95% CI?=?1.6-9.8, OR?=?3.4, 95% CI?=?1.5-7.5) than children who ate a healthy diet and were vitamin D sufficient. A healthy diet, with frequent consumption of vegetables and grains and low consumption of dairy products and sweets, was associated with higher lung function (as measured by FEV1 and FVC). Vitamin D insufficiency, together with an unhealthy diet, may have detrimental effects on asthma exacerbations in children.
| S-EPMC5733741 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundExpression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) have been identified using tissue or cell samples from diverse human populations, thus enhancing our understanding of regulation of gene expression. However, few studies have attempted to identify eQTL in racially admixed populations such as Hispanics.MethodsWe performed a systematic eQTL study to identify regulatory variants of gene expression in whole blood from 121 Puerto Rican children with (n = 63) and without (n = 58) asthma. Genome-wide genotyping was conducted using the Illumina Omni2.5M Bead Chip, and gene expression was assessed using the Illumina HT-12 microarray. After completing quality control, we performed a pair-wise genome analysis of ~15 K transcripts and ~1.3 M SNPs for both local and distal effects. This analysis was conducted under a regression framework adjusting for age, gender and principal components derived from both genotypic and mRNA data. We used a false discovery rate (FDR) approach to identify significant eQTL signals, which were next compared to top eQTL signals from existing eQTL databases. We then performed a pathway analysis for our top genes.ResultsWe identified 36,720 local pairs in 3,391 unique genes and 1,851 distal pairs in 446 unique genes at FDR <0.05, corresponding to unadjusted P values lower than 1.5x10-4 and 4.5x10-9, respectively. A significant proportion of genes identified in our study overlapped with those identified in previous studies. We also found an enrichment of disease-related genes in our eQTL list.ConclusionsWe present results from the first eQTL study in Puerto Rican children, who are members of a unique Hispanic cohort disproportionately affected with asthma, prematurity, obesity and other common diseases. Our study confirmed eQTL signals identified in other ethnic groups, while also detecting additional eQTLs unique to our study population. The identified eQTLs will help prioritize findings from future genome-wide association studies in Puerto Ricans.
| S-EPMC4376710 | biostudies-literature