Poor sleep predicts symptoms of depression and disability retirement due to depression

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders 2015-02, Vol.172, p.381-389
• Main Authors: Paunio, Tiina, Korhonen, Tellervo, Hublin, Christer, Partinen, Markku, Koskenvuo, Karoliina, Koskenvuo, Markku, Kaprio, Jaakko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cohort studies; Depression; Depression - etiology; Depressive Disorder - etiology; Disability; Disabled Persons; Female; Humans; Incidence; Life Change Events; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Retirement; Self Report; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders - psychology
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.002

Abstract Background Disturbed sleep is associated with mood disorders. Both depression and insomnia may increase the risk of disability retirement. The longitudinal links among insomnia, depression and work incapacity are poorly known. Methods We examined association of self-reported sleep quality with incident symptoms of depression and disability retirement due to depressive disorders in a longitudinal population-based sample of twins ( n =12,063 individuals). These adults were categorized by their sleep quality in 1975 and 1981, excluding individuals with depressed mood in 1975/1981. The outcomes were the Beck Depression Inventory (BDItot ) and its subscale Negative Attitudes Towards Self (BDINATS ) in 1990 as dichotomized measures, and the incidence of disability retirement due to depressive disorder during 1991–2004. Results Onset of poor sleep between 1975 and 1981 predicted incident depression (BDItot OR=4.5, 95% CI: 2.7–7.4, BDINATS OR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.7), while persistent poor sleep showed somewhat weaker effects (BDItot ; OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.0–6.0, BDINATS OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.3). Among those with few recent stressful life events, onset of poor sleep predicted strongly depression (BDINATS OR=9.5, 95% CI: 3.7–24.2). Likewise onset of poor sleep by 1981 increased the risk of disability retirement due to depression (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.8–4.9) with a similar risk among those with persistent poor sleep (OR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.3–5.7). Limitations Lack of baseline diagnostic interviews; sleep quality based on self-report. Conclusions Poor sleep is of importance in etiology of depression and disability retirement due to depression. This emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of sleep disturbances.