The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms among primary schoolchildren, and to objectively determine the influence of SDB on the intra-oral environment through the...The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms among primary schoolchildren, and to objectively determine the influence of SDB on the intra-oral environment through the analysis of saliva. A questionnaire survey was conducted among approximately 400 children from a primary school in Hiroshima. Parents were asked to complete the questionnaire and provide their contact information if they allowed the collection of saliva samples from their children. Thirty-eight chil- dren agreed to participate in the saliva study. Habit- ual snoring and cessation of breathing during sleep were found in approximately 8% and 1% of children, respectively. The present results showed significant correlations between snoring and mouth breathing. A significant association between excessive daytime sle- epiness (EDS) and learning problems was found. Fur- thermore, among children between the ages of 7 and 12 years, those with EDS and learning problems tended to be older. SDB symptom scores were statisti- cally significant only in relation to EDS. The present study also demonstrated significantly higher levels of salivary IgA and cortisol in children with sleep-re- lated disorders. The present study determined the pre- valence and characteristics of SDB among Japanese primary schoolchildren and their effects on the oral environment. Approximately 8% of primary school- children with habitual snoring might need to be care- fully monitored for SDB symptoms and immune sta- tus to ensure proper psychological and physical deve- lopment.展开更多
Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated that the measurement of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels is a useful tool for evaluating the autonomic nervous system. Psychosocial stress increases the release of sAA as ...Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated that the measurement of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels is a useful tool for evaluating the autonomic nervous system. Psychosocial stress increases the release of sAA as a useful marker for autonomic nervous system (ANS). To our knowledge, although some studies have evaluated sAA levels under psychosocial stress, no studies have investigated the changes in sAA activity that occur in junior high school students who are not attending school due to social anxiety disorder (SAD). We aimed to investigate the relationship between the sAA levels and psychiatric states of such patients. Methods: The study subjects consisted of SAD patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 57). We used a portable hand-held monitor to measure the level of sAA and State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) to evaluate the psychiatric state. Results: The patients’ sAA activity was significantly higher than that of the controls (n = 57) (p < 0.001). Significant differences in heart rate (HR) (76.10 ± 11.96 vs. 68.69 ± 10.61, respectively, p < 0.01) and STAI scores (both the STAI-State and STAI-Trait scores) (49.35 ± 10.57 vs. 41.24 ± 8.59, respectively, p < 0.01;55.69 ± 10.44 vs. 45.61 ± 9.36, respectively, p < 0.001) were detected between the patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: These results indicated that junior high school students with SAD exhibit a higher state of anxiety and high autonomic activity, probably due to changes in the sympathetic nervous system. As a result, junior high school students with SAD are expected to exhibit high levels of sAA accompanied by anxiety symptoms.展开更多
文摘The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms among primary schoolchildren, and to objectively determine the influence of SDB on the intra-oral environment through the analysis of saliva. A questionnaire survey was conducted among approximately 400 children from a primary school in Hiroshima. Parents were asked to complete the questionnaire and provide their contact information if they allowed the collection of saliva samples from their children. Thirty-eight chil- dren agreed to participate in the saliva study. Habit- ual snoring and cessation of breathing during sleep were found in approximately 8% and 1% of children, respectively. The present results showed significant correlations between snoring and mouth breathing. A significant association between excessive daytime sle- epiness (EDS) and learning problems was found. Fur- thermore, among children between the ages of 7 and 12 years, those with EDS and learning problems tended to be older. SDB symptom scores were statisti- cally significant only in relation to EDS. The present study also demonstrated significantly higher levels of salivary IgA and cortisol in children with sleep-re- lated disorders. The present study determined the pre- valence and characteristics of SDB among Japanese primary schoolchildren and their effects on the oral environment. Approximately 8% of primary school- children with habitual snoring might need to be care- fully monitored for SDB symptoms and immune sta- tus to ensure proper psychological and physical deve- lopment.
文摘Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated that the measurement of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels is a useful tool for evaluating the autonomic nervous system. Psychosocial stress increases the release of sAA as a useful marker for autonomic nervous system (ANS). To our knowledge, although some studies have evaluated sAA levels under psychosocial stress, no studies have investigated the changes in sAA activity that occur in junior high school students who are not attending school due to social anxiety disorder (SAD). We aimed to investigate the relationship between the sAA levels and psychiatric states of such patients. Methods: The study subjects consisted of SAD patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 57). We used a portable hand-held monitor to measure the level of sAA and State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) to evaluate the psychiatric state. Results: The patients’ sAA activity was significantly higher than that of the controls (n = 57) (p < 0.001). Significant differences in heart rate (HR) (76.10 ± 11.96 vs. 68.69 ± 10.61, respectively, p < 0.01) and STAI scores (both the STAI-State and STAI-Trait scores) (49.35 ± 10.57 vs. 41.24 ± 8.59, respectively, p < 0.01;55.69 ± 10.44 vs. 45.61 ± 9.36, respectively, p < 0.001) were detected between the patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: These results indicated that junior high school students with SAD exhibit a higher state of anxiety and high autonomic activity, probably due to changes in the sympathetic nervous system. As a result, junior high school students with SAD are expected to exhibit high levels of sAA accompanied by anxiety symptoms.