Sleep Disorders in Specific Learning Disabilities (DYSOM)

Characterization of Sleep Disorders in Patients With Specific Learning Disabilities According to Age, Sex, Associated Comorbidities and Treatments

Specific learning disorders, or SLD, are cognitive and behavioral conditions that emerge during childhood and involve significant difficulties in acquiring and performing specific intellectual, motor, language, and social functions. These disorders impact personal, social, academic, and professional functioning throughout life. In France, between 6% and 8% of the population, including both children and adults, are affected by at least one type of SLD.

SLD are also frequently associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with prevalence rates ranging from 33% to 70%, depending on the study. This comorbidity leads to more severe attention and learning difficulties than when ADHD or SLD occur independently.

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects cognitive attentional processes, with or without hyperactivity. It is estimated to affect approximately 5.3% of children and adolescents worldwide and about 3% of adults.

The assessment of these disorders is conducted through a neuropsychological evaluation, which determines the type and severity of cognitive impairments.

Several studies report that 55% to 74% of children with ADHD experience sleep difficulties.

To date, only two studies have examined the prevalence of sleep disorders among children with SLD disorders. One of these studies focused exclusively on dyslexia, with or without ADHD. The results revealed significantly higher scores among dyslexic children compared to controls when completing sleep disorder assessment questionnaires (SDSC). The main difficulties were related to "sleep onset and maintenance disorders," "sleep-related breathing disorders," and "wakefulness disorders." The second study, using the same questionnaire, compared children with ADHD, SLD disorders, and both combined. The group with co-existing SLD and ADHD disorders exhibited significantly more sleep disturbances than the other groups, primarily sleep onset and maintenance disorders.

Despite the importance of these studies, they focused only on sleep disorders associated with dyslexia, without considering other learning disorders such as dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. Furthermore, when ADHD was taken into account, the studies did not differentiate between its various forms, limiting the interpretation of the results. Additionally, no research has tracked the evolution of sleep disorders in the SLD +/- ADHD population from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.

In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate sleep disorders in the SLD population (with or without ADHD) in France through online questionnaires. These questionnaires will be offered to 1,000 children (aged ≥4 years) and adults diagnosed with at least one specific learning disorder.

Primary Objective:

The main objective of this study is to assess the frequency and nature of sleep disorders in patients (both adults and children) with specific learning disorders, with or without ADHD.

Secondary Objectives:

• Characterize the "SLD" patient population in France by considering age and gender:

  o Determine the prevalence of co-morbidities, such as: ADHD Anxiety and depressive disorders Other reported medical conditions

  • Assess the types of care provided (medication or other) for both children and adults
  • Determine the frequency of SLD in a familial context

• Identify whether the following factors are associated with a higher frequency of sleep disorders:

  • Single SLD vs. multiple SLD
  • The presence of ADHD, anxiety-depressive disorders, or other medical conditions alongside SLD
  • Demographic characteristics (age, gender, etc.)
  • Family history of SLD among relatives (parents and siblings)
  • Medication use

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sleep; ADHD; Specific Learning Disability; Sleep Disorder (Disorder)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Online Questionnaire

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 1146

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• France
  • Bron, France, 69500
    • Hospices Civils de Lyon

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

1000 participants, 500 children and 500 adults. All with at least one diagnosed specific learning disability

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children, adolescents and adults with a specific learning disability (dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dysphasia).
• ≥ 4 ans

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant opposing or whose parents oppose participation of this children in the protocol.
• Patients under guardianship

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Children; Children (4 < 18 years old) with specific learning disabilities, associated or not with others medical condition	Other: Online Questionnaire; Completion of an online questionnaire via the secure RedCap platform
Adult; Adult (> 18 years old) with specific learning disabilities, associated or not with others medical condition	Other: Online Questionnaire; Completion of an online questionnaire via the secure RedCap platform

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Characterization of sleep disorders assessed using the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC) questionnaires in children	Scores are obtained after completing the different subsections of the questionnaire. The subsections represent the different sleep disorders. The scores obtained in the different subsections define whether a disorder is present or not.	Baseline
Characterization of sleep disorders assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score in adults	Scores are obtained after completing the different subsections of the questionnaire. The subsections represent the different sleep disorders. The scores obtained in the different subsections define whether a disorder is present or not.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hospices Civils de Lyon

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 16, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): April 16, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 17, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 14, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 12, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ADHD; Sleep; Paediatric; Specific learning disabilities
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Sleep Wake Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: 69HCL24_0276; 2024-A01674-43 (Other Identifier: ID-RCB)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No