The relationship between insomnia and depressive symptoms: genuine or artifact?

Prevalence and correlates of poor sleep quality in chronic liver disease patients

INTRODUCTION

Previously done studies have shown that 39.6%-81% of subjects with chronic liver disease (CLD) report poor sleep quality and 42% experience insomnia. However, despite the high prevalence of insomnia and poor sleep quality in this group of patients, literature is scanty. In addition, previous studies have not ruled out subjects with restless legs syndrome, which is seen in a sizable number of subjects having CLD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of CLD were included after excluding potential confounders. The etiology of CLD was investigated. The severity of liver disease was assessed and graded as Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A, B or C; model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and as the presence of compensated or decompensated liver disease. Acute on chronic liver failure was also defined as per APASL criteria. For the present study, subjects having a score greater than 14 on insomnia severity index along with clinical diagnosis (DSM-5) were considered as having insomnia. Depression was diagnosed using a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) along with clinical criteria following DSM-5. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburg sleep quality index - Hindi version. RLS was diagnosed on clinical interview and examination. The severity of RLS was assessed using international RLS severity rating scales.

RESULTS

This cross-sectional study included 131 subjects. This sample had a predominance of males (78.6%), the average age of subjects was 48.70+12.31 years and 98.5% of subjects had decompensated liver disease. 54.2% had a history of alcohol use disorder and 45% had a history of nicotine use disorder. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection was 16.8% and 23.7%, respectively. Acute on chronic liver failure was observed in 22.9% of subjects. 19.8% of subjects had acute kidney injury. Poor sleep quality was reported by 37.4% of subjects in this study which was higher than population prevalence (p<0.001). Subjects with poor sleep quality had a higher proportion of insomnia, RLS, and depression. 19.8% of subjects reported insomnia in the present study and depressive symptoms were more severe among subjects with insomnia. RLS was reported by 19.1% of subjects and 2.3% had a positive family history of RLS. However, there was no difference in sleep quality and insomnia in patients with or without RLS.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that insomnia and poor sleep quality are more prevalent among patients with CLD. Sleep disturbance is associated with depressive symptoms and can worsen the quality of life.

Effects of tobacco addiction on links between early life adversities, sleep disturbance, and depression: A moderated mediation approach

Despite the well-established relationship between early life adversities (ELA) and depression, the underlying mechanisms for this link remain less clear and need to be developed. The aim of this study was to advance our understanding of this link by testing the mediating role of sleep disturbances and the moderating role of tobacco use in this mediation. A total of 579 smokers and non-smokers were recruited in two US communities (Duluth and Minneapolis, MN). Simple and moderated mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, with the number of ELA as an independent variable, depression symptoms assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a dependent variable, sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as a mediator, and smoking status as a moderator variable. The study demonstrated that ELA and depressive symptoms were positively correlated; and sleep quality fully mediated this relationship. This mediation was moderated by tobacco use (index of moderated mediation = 0.10, 95%CI [0.03; 0.19]) and was more pronounced among smokers (b = 0.14, 95%CI [0.07; 0.23]) than non-smokers (b = 0.04, 95%CI [0.0002; 0.10]). Subsequent mediation analyses run separately for each component of the PSQI suggested that individuals who experienced ELA and who were smokers had greater delays in sleep onset and were more likely to sleep for a shorter duration, both of which predicted greater depressive symptoms. Sleep quality is therefore a promising ELA-related target for preventive and therapeutic interventions as well as for further research in depression and tobacco addiction.

Validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in adolescents

AIM

The study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Indonesian version.

BACKGROUND

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index has never been translated into Bahasa.

DESIGN

This study employs a cross-sectional and correlational study.

METHODS

Data were collected from 528 adolescents of junior high school age (13-16 years) during August to September 2014. All participants agreed on the Indonesian version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychometric properties were examined including internal consistency, construct validity and known group validity, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to measure the cut-off point.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's alpha for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Indonesian version was adequate. There were positive correlations between the total score and seven component scores. Construct validity revealed that the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Indonesian version was correlated with the total score of the Indonesian version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Known group validity indicated that adolescents without depression risk had better sleep quality. According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off point at a score of 6.5 indicated the best possible relationship of sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSION

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Indonesian version has high reliability and validity for screening sleep quality among adolescents.

Smartphone Use and Sleep Quality in Chinese College Students: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND

Chinese college students are at high risk of sleep problems, and smartphone use is common among this population. However, the relationship between smartphone use characteristics and sleep problems in Chinese college students has been inadequately studied. In this preliminary study, we examined the association of poor sleep quality with smartphone use in a sample of Chinese college students from a health vocational college in Changsha, China.

METHODS

A total of 439 college students completed a self-report questionnaire containing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and questions regarding demographic information, psychosocial factors, physical health, smartphone use characteristics, and mobile phone addiction (MPA).

RESULTS

The results showed that the prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 7) in Chinese college students was 9.8%. In multiple logistic regression analysis, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with male gender (OR: 2.80, P: 0.022), not having good physical health (OR: 2.61, P: 0.020), headache (OR: 2.47, P: 0.014), more severe depressive symptoms (OR: 2.17, P: 0.049), > four years of smartphone use (OR: 3.38, P: 0.001), > five hours of daily smartphone use (OR: 2.19, P: 0.049), and more severe inability to control MPA craving (OR: 2.04, P: 0.040).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that excessive smartphone use and MPA are associated with poor sleep quality in a sample of Chinese college students from a health vocational college. Because of the limited sample representativeness and cross-sectional design of this study, large-scale prospective representative studies are warranted to confirm these associations.

Association of rest-activity and light exposure rhythms with sleep quality in insomnia patients

The relevance of altered rest-activity rhythm (RAR) and light exposure rhythm (LER) in insomnia patients under natural conditions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the parametric and nonparametric circadian variables of RAR and those of LER under natural conditions between insomnia patients and normal controls (NC) in a community-dwelling setting. The relationship of the nonparametric variables with sleep quality was also explored in both groups. Participants above 18 years old were recruited from three Public Health Centers in a rural area of Korea. Actigraphy (Actiwatch 2; Philips Respironics, Murrysville PA, USA) recording was conducted for 7 days. Subjects were eligible for our study if they had an insomnia disorder (ID) for at least 1 month. Actigraphy data of 78 normal control (NC) subjects (Age, 55.95 ± 13.22 years) and 104 patients with insomnia disorder (ID) (Age, 62.14 ± 12.34 years) were included for the analysis. Acrophases and amplitudes of RAR and LER were estimated using cosinor analysis. Interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV), and relative amplitude (RA) of these rhythms were determined using nonparametric methods. Parametric cosinor and nonparametric variables of RAR and LER were compared between the NC and ID groups. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were applied to evaluate the main effects of group and each nonparametric variable as well as a group by each variable interaction on the sleep onset latency (SOL), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) reflecting sleep quality. Among sleep parameters, the ID group showed significantly lower SE and greater WASO than the NC group. There were no significant differences in the acrophase and amplitude of RAR and LER between the two groups. There were no significant differences in IV, IS, and RA of RAR and LER between the two groups either. GLMs for RAR revealed a significant interaction between the group and IS on the SOL (β = -46.39, p < 0.01), indicating a negative relationship of the IS with SOL in ID unlike its positive relationship in NC. There were no significant main effects of IV on the SOL, SE, and WASO, but significant main effects of RA on the SE and WASO (β = 63.65 and β = -221.43, respectively, p < 0.01). GLMs for LER revealed no significant main effects of IS, IV or RA on the SOL, SE, and WASO, but significant interactions between group and RA on the SE and WASO (β = 56.17 and β = -171.93, respectively, p < 0.05), indicating a stronger positive relationship of the RA with SE in ID compared to NC, and a negative relationship of the RA with WASO in ID, unlike its positive relationship in NC. Although our study did not reveal group differences in circadian variables of RAR and LER, it suggested that the regularity of RAR could be positively associated with sleep initiation, while the robustness of LER could be positively associated with sleep maintenance in insomnia patients.

Insomnia and depression: How much is the overlap?

BACKGROUND

Previous literature considers insomnia as one of the features, predictor, and also as a residual symptom of depression. However, chronic insomnia and major depressive disorder (MDD) have overlapping features making differentiation between two difficult.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty subjects in each of the three categories-MDD, insomnia (I) and combined diagnoses (MDD-I) were recruited in this study after excluding potential confounders. Diagnosis of MDD was made following Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 edition (DSM-5), while the International Classification of sleep disorders 3 edition criteria of insomnia were used for diagnosing insomnia. The severity of insomnia and depression was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), which was translated in Hindi for this study. All subjects were also asked regarding effect of good sleep at night on daytime symptoms, especially on mood.

RESULTS

Subjects in MDD group were younger than the other two. Insomnia group was significantly different from the other two groups on most of the measures according to the DSM-5 criteria for MDD. MDD group had lesser frequencies of initial insomnia, middle insomnia, dissatisfaction with sleep and overall distress during the day. MDD-I group had a higher prevalence of daytime sleepiness and hyperactivity/impulsivity. PHQ-9 score was the lowest in the insomnia group. Despite statistically significantly different, ISI score was clinically comparable. The severity of fatigue was comparable across three groups. Contrary to the MDD group, subjects in insomnia and MDD-I group reported significant improvement in daytime symptoms after a good sleep for even one night.

CONCLUSION

There is considerable overlap of symptoms between insomnia and MDD. Subjects having insomnia report significant improvement in daytime and mood symptoms after good sleep, contrary to subjects with MDD.

Self-Reported Sleep, Anxiety, and Cognitive Performance in a Sample of U.S. Military Active Duty and Veterans

Unhealthy sleep can interfere with U.S. military service members affective and cognitive functioning, and increase accident and injury risks. This study examined the relationship between U.S. active duty and veterans' (n = 233) self-reported sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), anxiety (Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale), and cognitive performance (Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric). Statistical analyses included Pearson product moment correlations and multivariate analysis of variance, with Tukey-b post-hoc tests, with a p < 0.05 significance level. Higher education, abstinence from sleep aids, longer time in active duty service, and being on active duty were correlated with better sleep and lower anxiety. Greater sleep disturbance, poor sleep quality, and sleepiness-related daytime dysfunction were associated with greater anxiety and slower response times, and lower response accuracy. Statistically controlling for anxiety diminished the magnitude and significance of the correlations between sleep and cognitive performance, suggesting that reducing anxiety will improve sleep and diminish cognitive performance effects. These findings suggest the need for addressing both sleep and anxiety for those with diagnosed sleep disorders, as well as using a procedural systems approach to decrease anxiety during missions that demand outstanding cognitive performance.

Serum Interleukin-6 is Not Linked with Sleep-Quality, Restless Legs Syndrome, and Depression, But with 6-Month Survival in Hematological Malignancies

Background:

Serum interleukin (IL)-6 has been found to be associated with sleep quality, mood, and survival in patients with solid tumors. Results in these studies were confounded by knowledge of diagnosis to study subjects. Moreover, such data among subjects with hematological malignancies and data regarding restless legs syndrome is limited. The present study was, therefore, conducted to assess the sleep quality, depression, and restless leg syndrome in hematological malignancies and to study if there is any role of IL6 associated with it.

Methods:

Sixty-six subjects having hematological malignancy were included in this study after excluding the potential confounders. Sleep quality was examined using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, depression by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Diagnosis of RLS was made through clinical examination. Serum for measurement of IL-6 was collected at baseline and after 1 month of initiation of chemotherapy. Patients were followed up for 6 months.

Results:

Average age of study subjects was 50.16 years with male predominance. Nearly 22.7% had clinical depression, 28.8% had poor quality sleep, and restless legs syndrome (RLS) was reported in 6.1% cases. Nearly 22.7% patients died at 6 months. Disturbed sleep at baseline was associated with depression (odds ratio [OR] =7.89) and poor 6 months survival. Serum IL-6 did not show any association with sleep quality, restless-legs-syndrome, and depression. However, baseline high level of serum IL-6 (OR = 26.06) and low level after chemotherapy (OR = 0.03) were associated with poor survival at 6 months.

Conclusion:

Poor quality sleep, depression, and RLS are prevalent among adult subjects with hematological malignancies. Sleep disturbance, high pretreatment inflammatory and lowering of inflammatory load after chemotherapy increase likelihood for poor prognosis. Serum IL-6 did not show any association with sleep quality, restless legs syndrome and depression.

Chronic subordinate colony housing paradigm: A mouse model for mechanisms of PTSD vulnerability, targeted prevention, and treatment-2016 Curt Richter Award Paper

There is considerable individual variability in vulnerability for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); evidence suggests that this variability is related in part to genetic and environmental factors, including adverse early life experience. Interestingly, recent studies indicate that induction of chronic low-grade inflammation may be a common mechanism underlying gene and environment interactions that increase the risk for development of PTSD symptoms, and, therefore, may be a target for novel interventions for prevention or treatment of PTSD. Development of murine models with face, construct, and predictive validity would provide opportunities to investigate in detail complex genetic, environmental, endocrine, and immunologic factors that determine vulnerability to PTSD-like syndromes, and furthermore may provide mechanistic insight leading to development of novel interventions for both prevention and treatment of PTSD symptoms. Here we describe the potential use of the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) paradigm in mice as an adequate animal model for development of a PTSD-like syndrome and describe recent studies that suggest novel interventions for the prevention and treatment of PTSD.

Objective and subjective sleep disturbances in individuals with psychiatric disabilities

Sleep disturbances are common complaints in individuals with psychiatric disabilities, frequently occurring at onset and with exacerbation of illness. A small descriptive study of community-based overweight individuals (N = 9) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, wore an ActiGraph and kept a sleep diary for 7 to 14 days. All but two participants had poor sleep efficiency based on actigraphy scores, an objective measure of sleep. These scores were in agreement with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a self-report measure, in all but one participant. The findings indicate the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is a comprehensive measure to use in assessing sleep in individuals who have psychiatric disabilities.

Sleep disturbances and suicidality: a common association to look for in clinical practise and preventive care

Suicidality and suicide has been associated with many risk factors, while recent clinical and epidemiological studies increasingly point to a potential link between sleep loss or sleep disturbances and suicidality. This review on studies of sleep disturbances associated with suicidality, i.e., suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and completed suicide suggests a frequent association especially with insomnia and nightmares but also hypersomnia and sleep panic attacks. In suicidal insomniacs with comorbid psychiatric disorders, there is some evidence for an even independent predictive nature of sleep problems for suicidality. Considerations on the shared neurobiology, risk assessment and treatment options complement the overview. Thus, sleep disturbances may qualify as an individual treatable target of personalised medicine in the clinical routine as well as in suicide prevention programmes. A more detailed assessment of sleep problems and identification of specific risk domains in primary or secondary prevention of suicidality seem to be a future area of high importance.

Melatonin improves the oocyte and the embryo in IVF patients with sleep disturbances, but does not improve the sleeping problems

PURPOSE

We aimed to analyse the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes of the patients with sleep disturbances who were administered melatonin.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients with sleep disturbances were divided into two groups. The study group (group A, n=30) had underwent the IVF-ET with melatonin administration and the control group (group B, n=30) without melatonin. Sleeping status after melatonin administration and the IVF outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Sleeping status change was not significant (p>0.05). The mean number of the retrieved oocytes, the mean MII oocyte counts, the G1 embryo ratio were significantly higher in the melatonin administered group (group A) than that the non-administered group (group B); p=0.0001; p=0.0001; p<0.05 respectively.

CONCLUSION

IVF patients with sleep disorders may benefit from melatonin administration in improving the oocyte and the embryo quality, but the sleeping problem itself may not be fixed.

Insomnia associated with depressive disorder: primary, secondary, or mixed?

BACKGROUND

Insomnia is a common problem that is known to occur during depression. However, literature still debates whether insomnia is part of depression or a separate entity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects presenting with depressive disorder according to DSM-IV-Text Revision criteria were recruited after seeking informed consent. Clinical interview was performed with the help of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus. Their demographic data and depression related history were recorded. Depression severity was assessed by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Diagnosis of insomnia was made with the help of International Classification of Sleep Disorders-2 criteria. Type of insomnia, its duration, and its relationship with depressive illness were specifically asked. If any subject fulfilled criteria for more than one type of insomnia, both were recorded. Statistical analysis was done with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. χ(2) test, independent sample t test, and Pearson's correlation were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 54 subjects were enrolled in this study. Primary insomnia was seen in 40.7% cases and secondary insomnia in 58.8% cases; 27.3% subjects did not experience insomnia along with depressive disorder. In the primary insomnia category, adjustment insomnia was most prevalent (63.6%), and in secondary insomnia group, insomnia due to depressive disorder was most frequent (59.3%). Interestingly, primary insomnia often followed an onset of depressive illness (P=0.04), while secondary insomnia preceded it (c(2) =11.1; P=0.004). The presence of either type of insomnias was not influenced by duration of depressive illness, number of depressive episodes, and duration of current depressive episode. On the other hand, duration of insomnia was positively correlated with total duration of depressive illness (P=0.003), number of episodes (P=0.04), and duration of current depressive episode (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Primary insomnia is common in subjects with depression, and it usually follows depressive illness. On the other hand, secondary insomnia often precedes the onset of depressive illness. Duration of insomnia positively correlates with duration and frequency of depressive episodes.