Insomnia symptoms and short sleep duration predict trajectory of mental health symptoms

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate whether insomnia symptoms and short or long sleep duration, alone or in combination, are robustly associated with subsequent trajectory of mental health symptoms. Methods: Participants were 2,598 individuals (15-to-94 years of age) with elevated mental health symptoms at baseline (2013-14). Associations of baseline insomnia symptoms and sleep duration with two-year trajectory of mental health were estimated and adjusted for multiple potential confounders. Outcomes included recovery (well at both follow-up timepoints), intermittent symptoms (unwell at one follow-up timepoint), and chronic symptoms (unwell at each follow-up timepoint). Results: Adjusted for age and sex, baseline insomnia symptoms predicted intermittent (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-1.80) and chronic (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.77-2.68) trajectories of mental health symptoms. Short sleep duration (<6h and ≥6 to <7h) only predicted a chronic trajectory (ORs 1.70-2.06). Associations were attenuated but significant after confounder adjustment. Those who experienced both insomnia and short (<7h) sleep duration had the greatest risk of chronic mental health symptoms (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.60-3.45). Conclusion: A focus on just sleep duration or insomnia symptoms in those with elevated mental health symptoms will not be adequate to address chronicity. Both components of sleep disturbance, and in particular their co-occurrence, should be addressed.

Health-related behaviours and their relationship with self-rated health among Canadian adults

“…This can be partially attributed to the limited associations between inadequate sleep to the other health-related behaviours such that other health-related behaviours were no longer significantly associated with SRH after their adjustment. However, this finding also likely speaks to the importance of mental health and SRH given the consistent associations between sleep quality and mental disorders [47], and also the trajectory of mental health symptoms [48]. Others have also reported significant relationships between both short- and long- sleep duration and poor SRH, including in Canada [41].…”

Associations of Sleep and Health Functioning with Premature Exit from Work: A Cohort Study with a Methodological Emphasis

“…Previous studies have suggested that insomnia-related symptoms have the strongest effect on sickness absence when insomnia symptoms are coexisting with short sleep duration [40]. Extreme ends of the sleep duration distribution have also been associated with future sickness absence [41].…”

Eight Months Into The COVID-19 Outbreak, Whether This Pandemic Still Psychologically Affected Convalescent Psychiatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…One recent study suggested that participants reported lower posttraumatic stress symptoms during COVID-19 outbreak when they had a better sleep 25 . Literature indicated that subjects who had insomnia or short sleep duration presented higher odds of developing chronic mental health symptoms 26 . Our study was consistent with previous ndings.…”

“…School children and adolescent, in particular, may feel more anxious because they had to learn in a completely different environment, which leads to sleep di culties 26 . Moreover, now the companies and schools reopened, convalescent psychiatric patients may need more time for adaption.…”