Mental health effects from urban bed bug infestation (Cimex lectulariusL.): a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess whether bed bug infestation was linked to sleep disturbances and symptoms of anxiety and depression.DesignExploratory cross-sectional study.SettingConvenience sample of tenants recruited in apartment complexes from Montreal, Canada.Participants39 bed bug-exposed tenants were compared with 52 unexposed tenants.Main outcome measuresThe effect of bed bug-exposed tenants on sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression symptoms measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 5th subscale, Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-item, respectively.ResultsIn adjusted models, bed bug infestation was strongly associated with measured anxiety symptoms (OR (95% CI)=4.8 (1.5 to 14.7)) and sleep disturbance (OR (95% CI)=5.0 (1.3–18.8)). There was a trend to report more symptoms of depression in the bed bug-infested group, although this finding was not statistically significant ((OR (95% CI)=2.5(0.8 to 7.3)).ConclusionsThese results suggest that individuals exposed to bed bug infestations are at risk of experiencing sleep disturbance and of developing symptoms of anxiety and possibly depression. Greater clinical awareness of this problem is needed in order for patients to receive appropriate mental healthcare. These findings highlight the need for undertaking of deeper inquiry, as well as greater collaboration between medical professionals, public health and community stakeholders.

The mental health impact of bed bug infestations: a scoping review

“…Of the 51 articles in our review sample, only five are original research studies (Gbakima et al 2002;Goddard and de Shazo 2012;Goodall and Reed 2013;Potter et al 2010;Susser et al 2012). Each of these five studies suggests that individuals residing in environments infested by bed bugs are at risk of suffering from a broad range of mental health effects, including insomnia, irritation, emotional distress, psychological distress and discomfort, fear, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety, panic, avoidance behaviors, PTSD, paranoia, and depression.…”

“…Five articles included in the review (Burrows et al 2013;Goddard and de Shazo 2012;Rieder et al 2012;Susser et al 2012;Zipple et al 2012) focused exclusively on mental health effects of bed bug infestations. Among these five articles, two included studies that utilized validated criteria from the fourth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) to measure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Goddard and de Shazo 2012) and depression and anxiety symptoms (Susser et al 2012). Two articles were case reports (Burrows et al 2013;Rieder et al 2012).…”

“…de Shazo 2012;Goodall and Reed 2013; Potter et al2010;Susser et al 2012), six case reports(Burrows et al2013;Cimolai and Cimolai 2012;Comack and Lyons 2011;Pritchard and Hwang 2009;Rieder et al 2012; Ter Poorten and Prose 2005), seven literature reviews (Delaunay 2012; MunozPrice et al 2012; Ratnapradipa et al 2011; Shum et al 2012; Singh and Mann 2013; Thomas et al 2013; Williams and Willis 2012), two technical guidelines for health professionals (Armed Forces Pest Management Board 2010; Sciscione 2012), and the remaining 31 articles were commentary papers. Although the literature reviews contained content related to mental health impacts, the literature reviews themselves did not have an exclusive focus on the mental health impacts related to bed bug infestations.…”

Blood constituents as phagostimulants for the bed bug,Cimex lectularius L

“…Chronic blood loss and iron deficiency anemia have also been reported in people who have been continuously exposed to severe bed bug infestations (Venkatachalam and Belavady, 1962;Pritchard and Hwang, 2009;Paulke-Korinek et al, 2012). Bed bugs can also cause psychological disorders because the presence of these insects in intimate places such as beds and bedrooms often creates anxiety, and people who are repeatedly bitten may develop nervous behavior, agitation, stress and sleeplessness (Hwang et al, 2005;Goddard and de Shazo, 2012;Susser et al, 2012). The adverse effects of bed bugs on humans have led the Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to consider this pest of significant public health importance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Environmental Protection Agency, 2010).…”

Pest Management Strategies for Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in Multiunit Housing: A Literature Review on Field Studies

“…Although they are not known to be vectors of human diseases, bed bugs can cause allergic reactions (Goddard and deShazo 2009), significant psychological distress, social stigma (Hwang et al 2005, Susser et al 2012, Ashcroft et al 2015, and an economic burden to sufferers of infestations (Potter 2006). In the United States, infestations are particularly prevalent in affordable housing communities (Sutherland et al 2015.…”