Evidence mapPaperPMID 40709756Full record

ArticleSleep2026

Relation of sleep quality, sleep disturbance, and hydroxyurea use to neurocognitive function in youth living with sickle cell disease.

Tiffany D Tucker, Karthik Reddy, Ammar S Alishlash, Sylvie Mrug, Jeffrey D Lebensburger, Justin S Thomas, Kristi C Guest, Donna L Murdaugh

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sleep, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Tiffany D TuckerDepartment of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7624-3530
Karthik ReddyDepartment of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.ORCID 0009-0004-7771-0374
Ammar S AlishlashDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3160-6964
Sylvie MrugDepartment of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Jeffrey D LebensburgerDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Justin S ThomasDepartment of Psychiatry & Behavior Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8709-4083
Kristi C GuestDepartment of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Donna L MurdaughDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8550-8353

Funding

Longitudinal study of cognitive remediation to prepare for transition of care in youth with sickle cell diseaseK23MD017288 · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2025 to 2025
$115k
AHRQ HHS T32 HS013852NIMHD NIH HHS K23 MD017288
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

objectivesNeurocognitive deficits are present in youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) without notable neurological complications. Sleep quality and disturbances can negatively impact their neurocognition and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep and neurocognitive outcomes in youth with SCD, considering disease-related risks, protective factors, socioeconomic status, and the impact of hydroxyurea (HU).

methodsParticipants were selected from a retrospective clinical database of youth with SCD. All youth completed either a polysomnography (PSG) or sleep questionnaire and a neuropsychological evaluation to assess cognitive skills, including verbal comprehension, working memory, cognitive flexibility (CF), attention, and processing speed (PS).

resultsThe sample included individuals with sleep questionnaire ratings (n = 42) and individuals with PSG (n = 33). The primary aim indicated that CF decreased (B = -4.269, p < .001) and caregiver-rated executive dysfunction increased (B = 8.565, p = .020) for individuals with higher sleep-related impairments. In the exploratory aim, PSG data revealed that CF (B = -3.082, p = .005) and PS (B = -2.171, p = .008) decrease for each 1% increase in time spent under 90% oxygen saturation (pTST SpO2 < 90%). HU was not a significant moderator in the relationship between sleep and neurocognitive performance.

conclusionsThe study's primary findings highlight that sleep-related impairments are significantly related to neurocognitive challenges in youth with SCD. Exploratory PSG analysis supports these findings, linking pTST SpO2 < 90% and cognition. Future research on sleep interventions is essential for improving neurocognitive functioning in this population. Statement of Significance This study highlights the significant impact of sleep-related impairments on neurocognitive outcomes in youth living with sickle cell disease (SCD) despite the absence of major neurological complications. An assessment of sleep quality and nocturnal oxygen saturation has a bidirectional impact on the disease course and neurocognitive outcomes of youth living with SCD. Neurocognitive challenges can have lasting effects on academic performance, transition readiness, and quality of life. Most research focuses on neurocognitive and disease-related effects of severe complications. This study gives insight into the impact and needs of youth living with SCD without major complications. Thus, addressing the risk of sleep-related impairments through targeted interventions may improve neurocognitive outcomes and reduce the impact of other health complications associated with SCD.

Indexed as

Anemia, Sickle CellAntisickling AgentsCognitionHydroxyureaSleep QualitySleep Wake DisordersAdolescentChildFemaleHumansMaleNeuropsychological TestsPolysomnographyQuality of LifeRetrospective StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesAntisickling AgentsHydroxyureaneurocognitionpolysomnographysickle cell diseasesleep

Identifiers

PMID40709756
PMCPMC13017614

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.