Chronotype preference and circadian markers in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case-control study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Circadian rhythm disturbances have been implicated in several psychiatric disorders; however, circadian characteristics in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remain insufficiently investigated. Chronotype, reflecting individual differences in circadian timing, has been associated with both psychopathology and symptom severity in various psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to examine chronotype distribution in children and adolescents with OCD and to investigate the relationship between chronotype and OCD symptom severity using both psychometric assessments and biological circadian markers.
METHODS
This cross-sectional clinical study included 29 children and adolescents diagnosed with OCD and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Chronotype was assessed using the Children's Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ). OCD symptom severity was evaluated with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Sleep disturbances were evaluated using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Morning salivary melatonin and cortisol levels were measured as endogenous circadian markers.
RESULTS
Evening chronotype was more frequent in the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 29 participants or records.
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