Associations Between Hyperphagia, Symptoms of Sleep Breathing Disorder, Behaviour Difficulties and Caregiver Well-Being in Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Preliminary Study

Jessica Mackay, Gillian M. Nixon, Antony R. Lafferty, Geoff Ambler, Nitin Kapur, Philip B. Bergman, Cara Schofield, Chris Seton, Andrew Tai, Elaine Tham, Komal Vora, Patricia Crock, Charles Verge, Yassmin Musthaffa, Greg Blecher, Daan Caudri, Helen Leonard, Peter Jacoby, Andrew Wilson, Catherine S. ChoongJenny Downs*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by neurodevelopmental delays, hyperphagia, difficulties with social communication and challenging behaviours. Individuals require intensive supervision from caregivers which may negatively affect caregiver quality of life. This study used data collected in the Australasian PWS Registry (n = 50, mean age 11.2 years) to evaluate associations between child behaviours and caregiver mental well-being. Symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorder, child depression and social difficulties were associated with poorer caregiver mental and physical well-being. Growth hormone therapy use was associated with better caregiver mental and physical well-being. Optimising management of problematic behaviours and sleep disturbances have the potential to support caregivers who are the most vital network of support for individuals affected by PWS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3877-3889
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume52
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We acknowledge the generous contribution of all families who participated in this study. We acknowledge the funding provided for this study. This research was supported by funding from the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation to begin the Australasian Prader-Willi Syndrome Database to which participants in this study were recruited. We also acknowledge funding received from the Prader-Willi Association USA 2016 research grant.

Funding Information:
Gillian Nixon Has grant funding from ResMed Foundation; All renumeration has been paid to her department. Antony Lafferty: Has been on advisory boards in the past of Abbvie Australia, Medtronic Diabetes, Kyowa Kirin Australia and Chiesi Australia. Investigator in a clinical trial with MSD. Helen Leonard: Consultancy for Marinus, Newron, Anavex, GW Pharmaceuticals and AveXis; Clinical Trials with Newron and Anavex; All remuneration has been made to her department. Catherine Choong: Investigator in Clinical Trial OPKO Health & Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Jenny Downs: Consultancy for Marinus, Newron, Anavex, GW Pharmaceuticals and AveXis; Clinical Trials with Newron and Anavex; All remuneration has been made to her department. Each of these disclosures relate to subject matter not contained in this manuscript. Jessica Mackay, Cara Schofield, Geoffrey Ambler, Nitin Kapur, Philip Bergman, Chris Seton, Andrew Tai, Elaine Tham, Komal Vora, Patricia Crock, Peter Jacoby, Charles Verge, Yassmin Musthaffa, Greg Blecher, Daan Caudri and Andrew Wilson report no disclosures or conflicts of interest.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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