Tehran University of Medical Sciences/Department of Neurology, Children's Medical Center, End of Keshavarz Boulevard, Dr. Gharib's St., Tehran, IRAN
*Address for correspondence: Mahmoud Mohammadi, Professor of Child Neurology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences/Department of Neurology, Children's Medical Center, End of Keshavarz Boulevard, Dr. Gharib's St., Tehran, IRAN
To determine the reliability and validity of Persian version of “BEARS” (B=Bedtime Issues, E= Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, A=Night Awakenings, R=Regularity and Duration of Sleep, S=Snoring) pediatric sleep questionnaire.
Two primary care pediatric clinics in Tehran, IRAN.
In the first step BEARS sleep questionnaire filled and in a 2 to 4 week period BEARS completed again (by another questioner) and all of the subjects visited by sleep specialists for diagnosis of sleep problem. To determine test-retest reliability findings of BEARS compared during the time and between different questioners. To determine criteria validity, findings of BEARS compared with experts' diagnosis.
A total of 215 children (2–12 years old) were studied. From these 101 were in preschool age group (2–6 years old) and 114 in primary school age group (7–12 years old). All of the BEARS items in preschool age group and most of the items in school aged group had good to excellent test-retest reliability (P<0.05). Approximate to half of items in both age groups were valid (P<0.05).
This study suggests that the use of BEARS (a simple brief screening tool for pediatric sleep problems) is a reliable and relatively valid sleep screening tool in children especially in Persian language.
Children, Sleep, Sleep disorders, Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Screening tools, Primary care
