Depression is differently associated with sleep measurement in obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder

Periodic limb movements in sleep in patients using antidepressants

Depression and periodic limb movement disease are both common disorders which frequently co-exist. Furthermore, antidepressants are known to cause and worsen periodic limb movements in sleep, which can worsen the quality of sleep and subsequently daytime symptoms. However, the effect of antidepressants on periodic limb movements is not uniform and depends on their mechanism of action. In this review we summarise the knowledge on the mechanism of periodic limb movements in sleep, and how changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters can contribute to them. We comprehensively evaluate the literature on antidepressants induced periodic limb movement in sleep. Based on this, we suggest clinical implications and further focus on research.

The role of arts therapies in mitigating Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders: a systematic review

Introduction

Arts therapies offer effective non-pharmacological intervention for Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (SIMDs), encompassing both passive and active modalities. This review assesses their effectiveness and ethical considerations, focusing on music therapy, meditation, and Tai Chi.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, a detailed search across PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI identified 17 relevant RCTs. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality criteria and the PICO(S) framework for data extraction ensured methodological integrity.

Results

Analysis shows arts therapies significantly improve sleep quality. Music therapy and meditation yield immediate benefits, while Tai Chi and Qigong require longer commitment for significant outcomes.

Discussion

The link between SIMDs and mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and depression suggests arts therapies not only enhance sleep quality but also address underlying mental health conditions. The evidence supports a wider adoption of arts therapies in treating SIMDs due to their dual benefits.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, ID: CRD42024506393.

Suspected duloxetine-induced restless legs syndrome phenotypic variant: a case report

BACKGROUND

Restless arms syndrome (RAS) is the most common variant of restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is easy to be ignored in clinical practice due to the lack of specific diagnostic criteria. When effective therapeutic agents induced RAS and symptoms persisted after briefly observation, clinicians will face the challenge of weighing efficacy against side effects.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old woman was admitted to a geriatric psychiatric ward with depression. Upon admission, the escitalopram dose was reduced from 15 mg to 10 mg per day, and the duloxetine dose was increased from 60 mg to 80 mg per day. The next night before bedtime, she developed itching and creeping sensations deep inside bilateral shoulders and arms, with the urge to move, worsening at rest, and alleviation after hammering. The symptoms persisted when escitalopram was discontinued. A history of RLS was confirmed. Treatment with 40 mg of duloxetine and 0.125 mg of pramipexole significantly improved depression, and the paresthesia disappeared, with no recurrence occurring 6 months after discharge.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This case suggests that psychiatrists should pay attention to RLS variants when increasing doses of duloxetine. Long-term improvement can be achieved through dosage reduction combined with dopaminergic drugs instead of immediate discontinuation.

A metabolic biomarker panel of restless legs syndrome in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neuromotor disorder, and dialysis patients are more likely to develop RLS. RLS often causes sleep disorders, anxiety and depression in patients. It will increase the risk of death and severely affect the life of patients. At present, RLS has not received enough recognition and attention, and the misdiagnosis rate can reach more than 10%.

METHODS

The discovery set selected 30 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and 27 peritoneal dialysis patients with RLS (PD-RLS). A metabolomics method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric method (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to analyze the differential metabolites of the two groups. 51 PD patients and 51 PD-RLS patients were included in the validation set. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the early diagnostic biomarkers, and the correlation between the differential metabolites and laboratory test indexes was analyzed to explore the biological function of the differential metabolites.

RESULTS

Through the integrated analysis, four metabolites can be used as markers for the diagnosis of PD-RLS, including Hippuric acid, Phenylacetylglutamine, N,N,N-Trimethyl-L-alanyl-L-proline betaine and Threonic acid. Through ROC analysis, it is found that they can be used as a metabolic biomarker panel, and the area under the curve of this combination is more than 0.9, indicating that the panel has good diagnostic and predictive ability.

CONCLUSION

Metabolomics based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology can effectively identify the potential biomarkers, and provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment on PD-RLS.

The effect of vitamin D on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Poor sleep quality is a common problem in the general population that affects the quality of life of individuals. Aim: This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D on sleep quality (primary outcome) and side effects (secondary outcome). Methods: A systematic search was performed using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran databases with no limit at the time of publication. Cochrane collaboration instrument was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. RevMan software was used for meta-analysis. Mean Difference was calculated due to the same sleep quality measurement tools in all studies. Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using I-squared (I2). Due to high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%), Random Effect was used instead of Fixed Effect. Results: Out of a total of 1637 titles and abstracts found, after removing duplicate items (23 items), 1596 items were removed due to irrelevance and lack of inclusion criteria. 18 articles were fully studied due to insufficient abstract information and finally, 5 articles were entered into systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the use of vitamin D supplementation significantly improves sleep quality (MD: -1.32; 95%CI: -2.55 to -0.09; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Also, according to the findings of this study, receiving vitamin D supplementation did not cause any side effects. According to the results of this review study, sleep quality in people receiving vitamin D significantly improved compared to the control group.

Periodic limb movements during sleep are associated with poor health-related quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

The clinical significance of the comorbidity of periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) in sleep-disordered breathing remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether or not the presence of PLMS is related to depressed mood and poor quality of life in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

We defined PLMS as a periodic leg movement index of > 15/h. Scores for the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey and Beck Depression Inventory were assessed with multiple logistic or linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 1370 subjects with OSA, a prevalence of PLMS was 14.1%. Older age, men, and obesity were positively associated with PLMS. PLMS occurred in 17%, 15%, and 12% of mild, moderate, and severe subjects with OSA, respectively. Severe OSA was less likely to be associated with PLMS than mild OSA. PLMS negatively correlated with physical and mental component summary scores of the health survey but not with Beck Depression Inventory scores after controlling for confounding variables. PLMS were significantly associated with poor sleep architecture on polysomnography. However, the relationship between PLMS and disturbed sleep was no longer significant after adjusting for age.

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related quality of life, including physical and mental health but not depressive symptoms, was worse in subjects with OSA and PLMS than in those without PLMS.

Different scoring rules for respiratory event-related leg movements: effects on the prevalence of periodic limb movements during sleep and their association with depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

We compared the prevalence of periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) according to two different scoring rules of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) 2012 and World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) 2016 and determined their association with depressed mood in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

PLMS, defined as a periodic leg movements index of >15, were diagnosed on a diagnostic and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration polysomnography using the AASM 2012 and WASM 2016 rules. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used, and multiple regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among 160 OSA patients, the proportion with PLMS scored by the WASM 2016 criteria was significantly higher than that scored by the AASM 2012 criteria in a diagnostic study (20.6% vs. 16.3%, respectively; P = 0.016) but not in CPAP titration study and only in patients with severe OSA. In adjusted models, PLMS were positively associated with BDI scores and a BDI of ≥10 on both diagnostic and CPAP titration studies when scored by the WASM 2016. By contrast, when scored by the AASM 2012, PLMS were associated with BDI scores (but not BDI of ≥10) only in a CPAP titration study.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in the prevalence of PLMS and their association with depressed mood depending on the scoring rules in patients with OSA. The current AASM scoring criteria underestimate the prevalence of PLMS, and PLMS are more likely associated with depressed mood according to the WASM scoring criteria.

A Polysomnographic and Cluster Analysis of Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep of Restless Legs Syndrome Patients with Psychiatric Conditions

Only survey studies have linked specific individual psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS) or both. We therefore aim to polysomnographically characterize sleep in a sample of physician-based, newly diagnosed cases of RLS with various ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses. Retrospective analysis of data from a convenience sample of psychiatric patients (n = 43) per standard clinical sleep disorder cut-offs was conducted. Next, a cluster analysis was performed on the sleep data, taking into account the psychiatric diagnosis, comorbid non-psychiatric somatic problems and medication. We found that 37.2% of our sample showed clinically significant PLMS ≥ 15 and 76.5% exhibited an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5. Sleep structure was unaltered apart from the PLMS-related parameters. Two clusters were statistically identified: Cluster 1 primarily representing recurrent major depressive issues and Cluster 2 representing present but not predominant mood symptomatology as well as mixed disorders with personality problems. The known confounders were controlled. A PLMS index ≥ 15 was differentially distributed among the two clusters with Cluster 1: 10 out of 17 with PLMS index ≥ 15; Cluster 2: 1 out of 16 with PLMS index ≥15; whilst AHI was not different. Patients in Cluster 1 have a higher rate of periodic leg movements than patients in Cluster 2. This suggests that the high association with PLMS is primarily driven by affective disorders. Our findings warrant questioning of RLS symptomatology in patients with psychiatric conditions.

Association of Depressive Symptoms with Sleep Disturbance: A Co-twin Control Study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have comprehensively evaluated the association of depression with sleep disturbance using a controlled twin study design.

PURPOSE

To cross-sectionally evaluate the association of depression with both objective and subjective sleep disturbance.

METHODS

We studied 246 members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. We measured depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) and assessed major depression using structured clinical interviews. Twins underwent one-night polysomnography and 7-day actigraphy to derive measures of objective sleep and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for subjective sleep. Multivariable mixed-effects models were used to examine the association.

RESULTS

Twins were all male, mostly white (97%), with a mean (SD) age of 68 (2). The mean (SD) BDI was 5.9 (6.3), and 49 (20%) met the criteria for major depression. For polysomnography, each 5-unit higher BDI, within-pair, was significantly associated with 19.7 min longer rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, and 1.1% shorter REM sleep after multivariable adjustment. BDI was not associated with sleep architecture or sleep-disordered breathing. For actigraphy, a higher BDI, within-pair, was significantly associated with lower sleep efficiency, more fragmentation and higher variability in sleep duration. BDI was associated with almost all dimensions of self-reported sleep disturbance. Results did not differ by zygosity, and remained consistent using major depression instead of BDI and were independent of the presence of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and antidepressant use.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression is associated with REM sleep disruption in lab and sleep fragmentation and sleep variability at home, but not with sleep architecture or sleep-disordered breathing.

Risk factors for sleep disorders in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Sleep disorders in patients with end-stage renal disease are common but have rarely been reported in previous studies. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of sleep disorders and the risk factors for declining sleep quality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted at five PD centers across different provinces in China. A total of 449 patients who underwent PD between March to November 2013 were enrolled. Demographic data, laboratory indicators, presence of depression, and sleep assessment data were collected. Sleep questionnaires reflecting five categories of sleep disorders, namely, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, excessive daytime sleepiness, possible narcolepsy, and sleepwalking and nightmares, were administered at baseline and at 24 months postoperatively. Sleep disorders were diagnosed when a patient had at least one sleep problem. At baseline, 335 (74.6%) patients had at least one type of sleep disorder. Depression, diabetes mellitus (DM), and male were found to be associated with the presence of a sleep disorder. At follow-up, the prevalence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and excessive daytime sleepiness had significantly increased in 285 patients. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was found to be associated with the presence of sleep disorders in patients with one or more disorders at baseline, whereas a low serum albumin level was found to be associated with sleep disorders in patients without any sleep disorders at baseline. The prevalence of sleep disorders was relatively high among PD patients at baseline and increased afterthe2-year follow-up. Depression, DM, and male were associated with all sleep disorders at baseline. CVD was associated with the presence of a sleep disorder at baseline and worse sleep quality at the 2-year follow-up; whereas a low serum albumin level was associated with the risk of acquiring a sleep disorder at the 2-year follow-up among patients with normal sleep status at baseline.

Association between leg motor restlessness and depression among Chinese males living at high-altitude: the mediating role of insomnia

OBJECTIVE

Previous research has documented an association between insomnia and depression among patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease. Given that leg motor restlessness (LMR) is closely related to RLS, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of insomnia and depression among individuals with LMR. In addition, we examined the associations among LMR, insomnia, and depression in a sample of young Chinese men living in high-altitude areas.

METHODS

Chinese military personnel working on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau (Lhasa, an altitude of 3600 m) were recruited in 2019 to complete a series of questionnaires. Participants having the urge to move their legs but not meeting the diagnostic criteria for RLS were classified as having LMR. Hierarchical linear regressions and mediational analyses using the SPSS PROCESS macro in SPSS were conducted to examine the associations among LMR, insomnia, and depression.

RESULTS

Of 196 participants, 36 (18%) had LMR. Only 1 participant was diagnosed with RLS. The proportions of participants suffering from insomnia who had LMR and did not have LMR were 44% and 22%, respectively. For depression, the proportions were 47% and 28%, respectively. Results of the hierarchical linear regressions showed that both LMR and depression were associated with increased insomnia symptoms. In addition, results from the mediational analyses indicated that the indirect effect of LMR on depression was significant and accounted for 52% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with LMR had a higher prevalence of insomnia and depression compared with those without LMR. In addition, LMR was correlated with depression, and insomnia played a significant role in this co-occurrence.