DEPRESSION MEDIATES THE RELATION OF INSOMNIA SEVERITY WITH SUICIDE RISK IN THREE CLINICAL SAMPLES OF U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL

Exploring the use of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire to examine suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Post-9/11 U.S. Combat Veterans: An integrative review

This integrative review expands on the work of Kramer et al. (2020), by reviewing studies that utilized the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) to examine the interpersonal constructs (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) to understand suicidal thoughts and behaviors among service members and Veterans with combat experience. Very few studies (n = 9) in the literature were identified, however important relationships were revealed between combat exposure/experiences, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among military samples. Studies also reported risk factors for high levels of thwarted belongingness or perceived burdensomeness in military samples, such as moral injuries, betrayal, and aggression. This review highlights the utility of the INQ to measure ITS constructs among Post-9/11 U.S. Combat Veterans.

Evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder decreases suicidal ideation by reducing perceived burdensomeness among veterans in an outpatient program

Evidenced-based posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments generally reduce suicidal ideation (SI), and the interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) may theoretically account for this finding. The ITS posits that SI stems from feeling like a burden (i.e., perceived burdensomeness) and a lack of belonging (i.e., thwarted belongingness). Previous research suggests that change in PTSD severity has a significant indirect effect on change in SI through changes in perceived burdensomeness, but not thwarted belongingness, among patients receiving residential PTSD treatment in a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center; however, no research has investigated these associations in an outpatient VA setting with fewer confounding factors that might affect ITS constructs. Therefore, the current sample included veterans (N = 126) who completed PTSD treatment and pre- and posttreatment assessments in a VA outpatient clinic. Results from parallel models of multiple indirect effects suggest that change in PTSD severity was indirectly associated with change in SI through changes in perceived burdensomeness, B = 0.35, p < .001; β = .36, p < .001, SE = .10, 95% CI [.15, .54], but not thwarted belongingness, B = 0.14, p = .146; β = .14, p = .161, SE = .10, 95% CI [-.05, .33]. Additional models were examined using PTSD cluster scores for exploratory purposes. The results indicate that PTSD treatment reduces the perceived and objective burden of PTSD to decrease SI. Study findings support the importance of access to evidence-based care to treat PTSD and alleviate burdensomeness for suicide prevention.

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and symptom clusters in a sample of treatment-seeking US veterans: Longitudinal associations with meaning in life and general self-efficacy

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the associations between general self-efficacy, subjective meaning in life, and posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and symptom clusters in US veterans, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

METHODS

Data from a Veteran Affairs (VA) funded intervention study (n = 191) were examined. Self-report measures of depressive symptoms, general self-efficacy, and meaning in life were collected, along with clinician-rated symptoms of PTSD.

RESULTS

Meaning in life was consistently inversely associated with posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and symptom clusters cross-sectionally, whereas general self-efficacy was only inversely associated with some aspects of depressive symptoms. Longitudinal analyses further revealed that meaning in life was inversely associated with the cluster D symptoms of PTSD and the cognitive-affective symptoms of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher meaning in life is associated with less severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, particularly those related to mood. Additional research is needed to determine whether interventions designed to increase meaning in life attenuate these symptoms.

Longitudinal assessment of the sleep suicide link in Veterans: methods and study protocol

Although sleep disruption has emerged as a theoretically consistent and empirically supported suicide risk factor, the mechanistic pathways underlying the sleep-suicide link are less understood. This paper describes the methodology of a study intended to examine longitudinal mechanisms driving the link between sleep and suicide in Veterans at elevated suicide risk. Participants will be 140 Veterans hospitalized for suicide attempt or ideation with plan and intent or those identified through the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) office as being at acute risk. After study enrollment, actigraphy and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data will be collected for 8 weeks, with follow-up assessments occurring at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 26 weeks. Participants respond to EMA questionnaires, derived from psychometrically validated assessments targeting emotional reactivity, emotion regulation, impulsivity, suicide risk, and sleep timing constructs, five times a day. First and last daily EMA target sleep parameters including sleep quantity, quality, timing, nightmares, and nocturnal awakenings. During follow-up assessments, participants will complete self-report assessments and interviews consistent with EMA constructs and the Iowa Gambling Task. The primary outcome for aim 1 is suicide ideation severity and for the primary outcome for aim 2 is suicide behavior. Findings from this study will improve our understanding of the dynamic interactions among sleep disturbance, emotion reactivity/regulation, and impulsivity to inform conceptual Veteran sleep-suicide mechanistic models. Improved models will be critical to optimizing the precision of suicide prevention efforts that aim to intervene and mitigate risk in Veteran populations, especially during a period of acute risk.

Affective Depression Mediates PTSD to Suicide in a Sample of Treatment-Seeking First Responders

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affective or somatic depression, and suicide among first responders (FRs).

METHOD

We used baseline data from FRs ( N = 232) who sought services at a nonprofit mental health agency specializing in treating trauma exposed FRs. We conducted two PROCESS simple mediation models with PTSD as the predictor, affective depression and somatic depression as the mediators, and suicidality as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Affective depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD and suicidality, whereas somatic depression did not. The direct effect of PTSD on suicidality was not significant.

LIMITATIONS

These data are cross-sectional and should be followed up with longitudinal analyses across the course of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

To reduce suicide risk, it is recommended that clinicians target affective depression instead of PTSD symptoms.

The association among insomnia symptom severity, comorbid symptoms, and suicidal ideation in two veteran cohorts meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder

OBJECTIVE

Examine the association between insomnia symptom severity and suicidal ideation (SI), after adjusting for clinical comorbidity in veterans meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder.

METHODS

Secondary data analyses of psychometrically validated baseline assessments of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety symptoms from two online insomnia intervention randomized clinical trials (n = 232; n = 80) were conducted. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between insomnia symptom severity and SI, after controlling for clinical comorbidity and demographics.

RESULTS

Insomnia symptom severity was significantly correlated with comorbid depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptoms in both cohorts and significantly correlated with SI in one. After controlling for demographics and clinical comorbidity, insomnia symptom severity was not significantly associated with SI in linear regression models.

CONCLUSION

Findings extend insomnia-suicide research by providing evidence that insomnia symptom severity may not confer a unique risk for SI above comorbid mental health symptoms in veterans meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder.

Nanowired Delivery of Cerebrolysin Together with Antibodies to Amyloid Beta Peptide, Phosphorylated Tau, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induces Superior Neuroprotection in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Pathology Exacerbated by Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation induces amyloid beta peptide and phosphorylated tau deposits in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid together with altered serotonin metabolism. Thus, it is likely that sleep deprivation is one of the predisposing factors in precipitating Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology. Our previous studies indicate significant brain pathology following sleep deprivation or AD. Keeping these views in consideration in this review, nanodelivery of monoclonal antibodies to amyloid beta peptide (AβP), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in sleep deprivation-induced AD is discussed based on our own investigations. Our results suggest that nanowired delivery of monoclonal antibodies to AβP with p-tau and TNF-α induces superior neuroprotection in AD caused by sleep deprivation, not reported earlier.

Persistence of suicidal ideation within acute phase treatment of major depressive disorder: analysis of clinical predictors

Suicidal ideation (SI) is common in major depressive disorder (MDD), and it is a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Antidepressants are effective in reducing SI, but in some subjects, SI may persist for weeks. This study aimed to disentangle the contribution of baseline clinical characteristics in SI nonremission at week 6. Research involved 198 outpatients with MDD and SI collected within the Combining Medications to Enhance Depression Outcomes trial and treated with different antidepressant combinations. Although SI decreased from baseline to week 6 ( P < 0.0001), 78 patients (39%) failed to achieve SI remission. Insomnia [OR, 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52-0.99], reduced need for sleep (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99), self-confidence (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.82), cheerfulness (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.98), and comorbid panic disorder (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.99) at baseline were associated with lack of SI remission after controlling for baseline depression and SI scores. The combination of baseline SI and insomnia was moderately effective in predicting the lack of SI remission, with a specificity of 80% (95% CI, 72-87%) and an NPV of 68% (95% CI, 63-72%). In individuals with MDD and SI, the presence of insomnia and bipolar features should prompt a search for more effective treatment solutions in order to favour SI remission and prevent suicidal behaviour.

The association between sleep and suicidality in the presence and absence of depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study in rural China

This study aimed to explore the association between sleep and suicidality in the presence and absence of depressive symptoms in the rural Chinese population. The research involved a cross-sectional survey conducted in Liuyang, China, between November 2010 and August 2011. A total of 2052 participants were surveyed (987 males and 1065 females). To investigate the mediating effect of depressive symptoms in the correlation between sleep quality and suicidality. The association between sleep quality and suicidality in the absence of depressive symptoms was also explored. Suicide risk was measured using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview subscale. The visual analog scale was used to assess sleep quality. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Patient Health Questionnaire-2, avoiding the overlap in sleep and suicidality assessments, were used for detecting depressive symptoms in participants. Depressive symptoms partially mediated the association between sleep quality and suicidality among rural adults. Furthermore, some participants did not exhibit depressive symptoms in this study yet still exhibited a risk for suicidality, with poor sleep quality contributing significantly to their suicidality even after adjusting for cofounders. Poor sleep quality significantly increases the likelihood of suicidality in the presence and absence of depressive symptoms in the rural Chinese population. Poor sleep quality could correlate with increased suicide risk independently of depressive symptoms.

Factors of suicidal behavior among inpatients with major depressive disorder: A retrospective case series

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies indicate that more than half of those who died by suicide had a depressive disorder. When discussing the factors associated to suicidal behavior (SB) among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), sociocultural contexts should also be carefully considered. This case series study explored the factors correlated to SB among MDD patients in Beijing, China.

METHODS

The patient information sheets were retrieved from an electronic database that comprised patient medical information. Three forms of binary logistic regression equations were conducted to explore the factors associated to SB among patients with MDD. For the inconsistent variables produced by the three regression models, the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was done for further verification.

RESULTS

In this retrospective study, 1,091 depressed cases were enrolled. The difference between the SB group and non-SB group in gender, impulsivity, the severity of depression, history of major mental trauma, and family history of suicide were statistically significant in univariate comparisons (P < 0.05); the binary logistic regression analysis and the PSM analysis showed that female gender, history of major mental trauma, impulsivity, family history of suicide and severity of depression were factors correlated to SB among patients with MDD (odds ratios >1).

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender, the history of major mental trauma, impulsivity, the severity of depression, and family history of suicide were independently associated with the appearance of SB among MDD patients in Beijing, China. Inevitably, these findings should be viewed with particular caution due to the inherent drawbacks of a retrospective nature. More prospective longitudinal research should be conducted to examine those dynamic alterations in the corresponding confounders.

REM Sleep and Total Sleep Time Improvement After Routine Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Active Duty Service Members With Depression

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of depression and insomnia in the military are substantial. Several transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have used self-report sleep data as secondary research outcomes; however, there are limited studies using the gold standard of polysomnography (PSG) to ascertain actual sleep changes. Here, we provide data from a pilot and feasibility study using PSG to measure sleep changes after repetitive TMS.

METHODS

Thirty-eight active duty service members (ADSM) were consented, of which 20 completed the study. The ADSM who met study criteria where sent for an initial PSG and completed baseline self-report measures. They then completed a standard course of TMS, and self-report measures were completed every fifth session. After TMS completion, ADSM underwent final PSG.

RESULTS

Comparison of baseline and postintervention PSG sleep parameters highlight that total rapid eye movement sleep improved after a course of TMS, regardless of improvements in depression. Total sleep time also improved, but only in the TMS responders subgroup. The Public Health Questionnaire-9 showed statistically significant improvement as did the Insomnia Severity Index and some components of the RAND Medical Outcomes Short Form 36.

CONCLUSION

Our small study confirms the feasibility of obtaining pre and post PSG for research purposes. We found similar results to previous studies with regard to depression improvement and self-reported sleep. Interestingly, almost all (including electroconvulsive therapy) somatic depression treatments have been shown to decrease REM, whereas our study found an increase in REM. Overall, this study helps further our understanding of TMS effects on sleep and presents new questions for potential larger follow-on studies.

Self-rated sleep quality predicts incident suicide ideation in US military veterans: Results from a 7-year, nationally representative, prospective cohort study

Sleep disturbance is a risk factor for future suicidal behaviours (e.g. suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, death by suicide), and military veterans are at increased risk for both poor sleep and death by suicide relative to civilians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether self-reported sleep quality was associated with risk of new-onset suicidal ideation in a 7-year prospective nationally representative cohort study of US military veterans. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the relation between self-rated sleep quality and incident suicidal ideation in 2,059 veterans without current suicidal ideation or lifetime suicide attempt history at baseline. Relative importance analyses were then conducted to identify the relative variance explained by sleep quality and other significant determinants of incident suicidal ideation. A total of 169 (weighted 8.9%, 95% confidence interval =7.7%-10.3%) veterans developed suicidal ideation over the 7-year study period. Poor self-rated sleep quality was associated with a more than 60% greater likelihood of developing suicidal ideation (relative risk ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval = 1.11-2.36), even after adjustment for well-known suicide risk factors such as major depressive disorder. Relative importance analysis revealed that poor self-rated sleep quality accounted for 44.0% of the explained variance in predicting incident suicidal ideation. These results underscore the importance of assessing, monitoring and treating sleep difficulties as part of suicide prevention efforts in military veterans.

The Mediating Roles of Psychological Pain and Dream Anxiety in the Relationship between Sleep Disturbance and Suicide

ABSRTACTSuicide is a significant public health problem worldwide, and sleep disturbances have negative effects on mental health and suicidality. Several psychological concepts may mediate the relationship between sleep disturbances and suicide. We aimed to investigate the mediating roles of psychological pain and dream anxiety in this relationship. This cross-sectional study included 150 depressive patients with or without recent suicide attempts and 91 healthy controls. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Psychache Scale (PS), and Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS) were used to assess sleep quality, depression severity, psychological pain, and dream anxiety, respectively. Depression group's mean depression, dream anxiety, psychache, and median sleep quality scores were higher than those of the control group. The ROC analyses indicated no relationship between the violence status of the suicides and the mean dream anxiety, sleep quality or psychache scores. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only the depression score predicted suicide attempts. Mediation analyses revealed that both psychache and dream anxiety have full mediator roles in the relationship between sleep disturbance and suicide attempts. Psychotherapeutic approaches to relieve dream anxiety and psychache may help prevent suicide attempts of at-risk individuals.

Prevalence, risk factors and clinical correlates of suicidal ideation in adolescent patients with depression in a large sample of Chinese

BACKGROUND

Suicidal ideation (SI) has a high risk in adolescents and is now a significant concern due to its problematic outcome. However, few systemic studies of suicidal ideation have been conducted in adolescent patients. Therefore, the current study was aimed to assess the prevalence and its clinical correlate of suicidal ideation among adolescent patients with depression.

METHODS

A total of 1635 adolescent patients (748 males/ 887 females) with depression were recruited in this study. The clinical and demographic data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Suicidal ideation was assessed by interview. Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List (ASLEC) was used to assess the stressful life events.

RESULTS

The study showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation in adolescent depression patients was 38.2% (625/1635). Compared to the non-SI patients, SI patients had greater scores on CDI and ASLEC, had inadequate sleeping time, and were more likely to be females. Further logistic regression analysis indicated that suicidal ideation in adolescent patients with depression was significantly associated with females, inadequate sleeping time, the severity of depression, and higher learning pressure.

LIMITATIONS

No causal relationship could be drawn due to the cross-sectional design.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a high prevalence of suicidal ideation in adolescents with depression. Moreover, the severity of depression, sex, sleep time, and learning pressure are all related to suicidal ideation. Early recognition and treatment of suicidal ideation can effectively prevent the occurrence of suicide among adolescent patients.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia among young adults who are actively drinking: a randomized pilot trial

STUDY OBJECTIVES

More than half of young adults at risk for alcohol-related harm report symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia symptoms, in turn, have been associated with alcohol-related problems. Yet one of the first-line treatments for insomnia (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia or CBT-I) has not been tested among individuals who are actively drinking. This study tested (1) the feasibility and short-term efficacy of CBT-I among binge-drinking young adults with insomnia and (2) improvement in insomnia as a predictor of improvement in alcohol use outcomes.

METHODS

Young adults (ages 18-30 years, 75% female, 73% college students) who met criteria for Insomnia Disorder and reported 1+ binge drinking episode (4/5+ drinks for women/men) in the past month were randomly assigned to 5 weekly sessions of CBT-I (n = 28) or single-session sleep hygiene (SH, n = 28). All participants wore wrist actigraphy and completed daily sleep surveys for 7+ days at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Of those randomized, 43 (77%) completed posttreatment (19 CBT-I, 24 SH) and 48 (86%) completed 1-month follow-up (23 CBT-I, 25 SH). CBT-I participants reported greater posttreatment decreases in insomnia severity than those in SH (56% vs. 32% reduction in symptoms). CBT-I did not have a direct effect on alcohol use outcomes; however, mediation models indicated that CBT-I influenced change in alcohol-related consequences indirectly through its influence on posttreatment insomnia severity.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-I is a viable intervention among individuals who are actively drinking. Research examining improvement in insomnia as a mechanism for improvement in alcohol-related consequences is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03627832, registration #NCT03627832.

Risks of suicide attempts after prescription of zolpidem in people with depression: a nationwide population study in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between zolpidem prescription and suicide attempts in people with depression.

METHODS

A nationwide, population-based electronic medical records database from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of South was used to investigate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of suicide attempts and probable suicide attempts in people with depression before and after zolpidem prescription using self-controlled case series design.

RESULTS

In a total of 445 people who attempted suicide and 23 141 people who attempted probable suicide attempt, the IRRs of suicidal behavior during the risk periods before and after zolpidem prescription increased compared with those at the baseline. The IRRs gradually increased and peaked immediately before the prescription of zolpidem. The IRR was 70.06 (95% CI: 25.58-191.90) on day 2 before zolpidem prescription and 63.35 (95% CI: 22.99-174.59) on day 1 after zolpidem prescription in the suicide attempt group. The IRR was 24.07 (95% CI: 20.50-28.26) on the day before zolpidem prescription and 14.96 (95% CI: 12.21-18.34) on the day after zolpidem prescription in the probable suicide attempt group. The ratios declined eventually after zolpidem was prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although zolpidem prescription was associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts in people with depression, the risk increased and peaked immediately before zolpidem prescription. The risk declined gradually thereafter. This result indicates that the risk of suicide attempts increases at the time of zolpidem prescription. However, zolpidem prescription does not contribute to additional increase in the risk of suicide attempts.

Associations of sleep phenotypes with severe intentional self-harm: a prospective analysis of the UK Biobank cohort

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the prospective associations of sleep phenotypes with severe intentional self-harm (ISH) in middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

A total of 499,159 participants (mean age: 56.55 ± 8.09 years; female: 54.4%) were recruited from the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010 with follow-up until February 2016 in this population-based prospective study. Severe ISH was based on hospital inpatient records or a death cause of ICD-10 codes X60-X84. Patients with hospitalized diagnosis of severe ISH before the initial assessment were excluded. Sleep phenotypes, including sleep duration, chronotype, insomnia, sleepiness, and napping, were assessed at the initial assessments. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate temporal associations between sleep phenotypes and future risk of severe ISH.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 7.04 years (SD: 0.88), 1,219 participants experienced the first hospitalization or death related to severe ISH. After adjusting for demographics, substance use, medical diseases, mental disorders, and other sleep phenotypes, short sleep duration (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.23-1.83, P < .001), long sleep duration (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.15-2.12, P = .004), and insomnia (usually: HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.31-1.89, P < .001) were significantly associated with severe ISH. Sensitivity analyses excluding participants with mental disorders preceding severe ISH yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

The current study provides the empirical evidence of the independent prediction of sleep phenotypes, mainly insomnia, short and long sleep duration, for the future risk of severe ISH among middle-aged and older adults.

Sleep and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

The current review provides a quantitative synthesis of the empirical literature on sleep disturbance as a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and the references of prior reviews resulted in 41 eligible studies included in this meta-analysis. Sleep disturbance, including insomnia, prospectively predicted STBs, yielding small-to-medium to medium effect sizes for these associations. Complicating interpretation of these findings however, is that few studies of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, as well as none of suicide deaths, assessed short-term risk (i.e., employed follow-up assessments of under a month). Such studies are needed to evaluate current conceptualizations of sleep dysregulation as being involved in acute risk for suicidal behavior. This want of short-term risk studies also suggests that current clinical recommendations to monitor sleep as a potential warning sign of suicide risk has a relatively modest empirical basis, being largely driven by cross-sectional or retrospective research. The current review ends with recommendations for generating future research on short-term risk and greater differentiation between acute and chronic aspects of sleep disturbance, and by providing a model of how sleep disturbance may confer risk for STBs through neuroinflammatory and stress processes and associated impairments in executive control.

Insomnia Symptoms and Suicide-Related Ideation in U.S. Army Service Members

Background: Insomnia has been identified as a key risk factor for suicide, though most studies have been limited to global measures of these constructs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the link between insomnia symptoms and five different aspects of suicide-related ideation. Participants: 1,160 active U.S. Army service members (719 male; M_age = 31.2; SD_age = 8.62). Methods: As part of an archival analysis, retrospectively assessed insomnia, depression, anxiety symptoms, as well as suicide-related ideation, were evaluated. Suicide-related ideation was assessed in terms of: thoughts of death, thoughts of suicide, suicidal plan, suicidal intent, and suicidal communication. Results: Subjects with clinically significant insomnia symptoms were 3.5 times more likely to report any suicide-related ideation, and approximately 3 times more likely to report thoughts of death and thoughts of suicide. More frequent nocturnal awakenings (i.e., waking up three or more times during a single night) were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting thoughts of death or suicide, whereas greater middle insomnia (i.e., waking up and having difficulty getting back to sleep) was associated with lower odds of experiencing thoughts of suicide, suicidal plan, and suicidal intent. Conclusions: A more refined delineation of insomnia and suicide-related ideation may serve to clarify the nature of the association, and potentially offer some clues as to the underlying mechanisms. With regard to potential clinical implications, the results support that careful assessment of insomnia symptoms, suicide-related ideation, and their respective subtypes, is important and may influence how we estimate risk for suicide.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Insomnia in Korea during 2005 to 2013

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate the progress of insomnia prevalence and incidence over the past several years. Also, this study compared survival rates between individuals with and without insomnia.

METHODS

The National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) from 2002-2013 was used for this study. Prevalent cases of insomnia were defined using ICD-10 codes F51.0 or G47.0, or a prescription of sedatives. Cox's proportional hazard analysis was conducted to compare survival rates between insomnia patients and people without insomnia.

RESULTS

In 2013, there were 46,167 (5.78%) insomnia patients over 20 years old in this cohort. Insomnia was more common among women and the elderly. Annual incidence over the past several years remained steady but the prevalence increased. The survival of insomnia patients was lower than that of people without insomnia, and the hazard ratio for overall mortality was 1.702 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This large-scale population-based cohort study provided current epidemiologic indicators of insomnia in the Korean general population.

Prospective association between suicide cognitions and emotional responses to a laboratory stressor: The mediating role of nightly subjective sleep quality

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a reliable correlate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), yet few studies have directly examined negative affect in the context of this association. The present study combined daily experience methods with a laboratory paradigm to investigate suicide cognitions as a predictor of emotional responses to environmental stressors, and tested the role of nightly sleep parameters.

METHOD

72 participants (M_age = 24.25; 41 with a recent history of suicide ideation and 31 without a history of STBs) completed a four-day study. Suicide cognitions were measured on the first day, and actigraphy-based sleep duration and fragmentation, and morning ratings of prior night subjective sleep quality (SSQ) were subsequently measured over three consecutive nights. Participants returned on the fourth day to complete the Trier Social Stress Task, where self-report changes in negative affect immediately post-task (i.e., reactivity) and five minutes post-task (i.e., recovery) were observed.

RESULTS

Regression analyses indicated that suicide cognitions predicted negative affect reactivity and recovery. Simple mediation analyses revealed that SSQ partially mediated the relation between suicide cognitions and negative affect recovery (especially shame), but not reactivity. No significant associations were observed for the actigraphy-based sleep parameters.

LIMITATIONS

Just three nights of actigraphy-based data collection. A single item was used to measure SSQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicide cognitions predict negative affective responses to situational stressors and SSQ may have a key role in this effect, especially the duration of negative emotional reactions. Hence, sleep and emotional reactivity may be potential targets for suicide prevention efforts.

Relationship of Nocturnal Wakefulness to Suicide Risk Across Months and Methods of Suicide

OBJECTIVE

Insomnia is a risk factor for suicide, and the risk of suicide after accounting for population wakefulness is disproportionately highest at night. This study investigated whether this risk varied across months and/or methods of suicide.

METHODS

Time, date, method (eg, firearm, poisoning), and demographic information for 35,338 suicides were collected from the National Violent Death Reporting System for the years 2003-2010. Time of fatal injury was grouped into 1-hour bins and compared to the estimated hourly proportion of the population awake from the American Time Use Survey for 2003-2010. Negative binomial modeling then generated hourly incidence risk ratios (IRRs) of suicide. Risks were then aggregated into 4 categories: morning (6:00 am to 11:59 am), afternoon (noon to 5:59 pm), evening (6:00 pm to 11:59 pm), and night (midnight to 5:59 am).

RESULTS

The risk of suicide was higher at night across all months (P < .001) and methods (P < .001). The mean nocturnal IRR across months was 3.18 (SD = 0.314), with the highest IRR in May (3.90) and the lowest in November (2.74). The mean (SD) nocturnal IRR across methods was 3.09 (0.472), with the highest IRR for fire (3.75) and the lowest for drowning (2.44). Additionally, nocturnal risk was elevated within all demographics (all P < .001). However, there were no month-by-time or method-by-time interactions across demographics (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of month or method, the incidence risk of suicide at night is higher than at any other time of day. Additionally, demographic subgroups did not differentially experience higher risks across months or mechanisms at night.

Insomnia Is Associated With Frequency of Suicidal Ideation Independent of Depression: A Replication and Extension of Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

Insomnia is associated with suicidality, although the mechanisms of this association are unclear. This study sought to replicate previous findings showing that insomnia symptoms but not sleep duration are associated with frequency of suicidal ideation in adults. We further investigated whether depression or sleep duration moderates the association between insomnia symptoms and frequency of suicidal ideation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the 2005-2006 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to replicate previously reported findings from the 2007-2008 cycle. We used ordered logistic regression to determine whether insomnia symptoms were associated with frequency of suicidal ideation independently of depression and other potential confounds. To extend these findings, we tested whether depression or sleep duration moderated the association between insomnia symptoms and frequency of suicidal ideation. We further replicated these findings in parallel analyses using the combined data from the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 cycles.

RESULTS

This study replicated previous results showing that insomnia symptoms are associated with frequency of suicidal ideation in the NHANES 2005-2006 cycle (OR = 1.09, p < 0.05), even after adjusting for potentially confounding variables, including depression. Neither depression nor sleep duration moderated this association. Difficulty with sleep maintenance insomnia symptoms were most robustly associated with frequency of suicidal ideation (OR ≥ 1.97, p < 0.05). Sleep duration was not robustly associated with suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found that insomnia symptoms were uniquely associated with frequency of suicidal ideation. This association cannot be explained by the shared association with depression or sleep duration.

Sleep Disturbances and Suicidality in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Overview of the Literature

A causal relationship between sleep disturbances and suicidal behavior has been previously reported. Insomnia and nightmares are considered as hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, patients with PTSD have an increased risk for suicidality. The present article gives an overview about the existing literature on the relationship between sleep disturbances and suicidality in the context of PTSD. It aims to demonstrate that diagnosing and treating sleep problems as still underestimated target symptoms may provide preventive strategies with respect to suicidality. However, heterogeneous study designs, different samples and diverse outcome parameters hinder a direct comparison of studies and a causal relationship cannot be shown. More research is necessary to clarify this complex relationship and to tackle the value of treatment of sleep disturbances for suicide prevention in PTSD.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a novel PAP delivery platform to treat patients with OSA and comorbid PTSD

PURPOSE

Positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence is poor in comorbid OSA/PTSD. SensAwake™ (SA) is a wake-sensing PAP algorithm that lowers pressure when wake is detected. We compared auto-PAP (aPAP) with and without SA for comorbid OSA/PTSD.

METHODS

Prospective, randomized crossover study comparing aPAP to aPAP + SA. We enrolled patients with OSA/PTSD who were PAP naïve. Four weeks after randomization, the patients were crossed over to the alternate treatment group, with final follow-up at eight weeks. Sleep questionnaires (ESS, ISI, FSS, and FOSQ-10) were assessed at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

We enrolled 85 patients with OSA/PTSD. aPAP reduced AHI to < 5/h in both groups. Our primary endpoint, average hours of aPAP adherence (total) after 4 weeks, was significantly increased in the SA group in our intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (ß = 1.13 (95% CI 0.16-2.1); p = 0.02), after adjustment for ESS differences at baseline. After adjustment for ESS, SA (ITT analysis) also showed significant improvement in percentage of nights used for ≥ 4 h (ß = 14.9 (95% CI 1.02-28.9); p = 0.04). There were trends toward an increase in percentage nights used total (ß = 17.4 (95% CI - 0.1 to 34.9); p = 0.05), average hours of aPAP adherence (nights used) (ß = 1.04 (95% CI - 0.07 to 2.1); p = 0.07), and regular use (OR = 7.5 (95% CI 0.9-64.7); p = 0.07) after adjustment for ESS at baseline. After adjustment for ESS and days to cross over, SA by actual assignment did not show any effect on adherence variables. The ESS, ISI, FSS, and FOSQ-10 all showed significant improvements with PAP, but there were no differences in the magnitude of improvement in any score between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to aPAP may be improved with the addition of SA and deserves further study. SA is as effective as standard aPAP for normalizing the AHI and improving sleep-related symptoms.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02549508 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02549508?term=NCT02549508&rank=1 "Comparison Study Using APAP With and Without SensAwake in Patients With OSA and PTSD".

Longitudinal course of suicidal ideation and predictors of its persistence - A NESDA study

BACKGROUND

Prior research indicates that the factors that trigger suicidal ideation may differ from those that maintain it, but studies into the maintenance of suicidal ideation remain scarce. Our aim was to assess the longitudinal course of suicidal ideation, and to identify predictors of persistent suicidal ideation.

METHODS

We used data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). We performed a linear mixed-effects growth model analysis (n = 230 with current suicidal ideation at baseline) to assess the course of suicidal ideation over time (baseline through 2-, 4-, 6- and 9-year follow-up). We used logistic regression analysis (n = 195) to test whether factors previously associated with the incidence of suicidal ideation in the literature (insomnia, hopelessness, loneliness, borderline personality traits, childhood trauma, negative life events) also predict persistence of suicidal ideation (i.e., reporting ideation at two consecutive assessment points, 6- and 9-years). We controlled for socio-demographics, clinical diagnosis and severity, medication use, and suicide attempt history.

RESULTS

Suicidal ideation decreased over time, and this decrease became slower with increasing time, with the majority of symptom reductions occurring in the first two years of follow-up. More severe insomnia and hopelessness were associated with increased odds of persistent suicidal ideation, and hopelessness was a significant mediator of the relationship between insomnia and persistent suicidal ideation.

LIMITATIONS

Findings may not generalize to those with more severe suicidal ideation due to dropout of those with the worst clinical profile.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting insomnia and hopelessness in treatment may be particularly important to prevent the persistence of suicidal ideation.

Suicidal ideation among recently returned veterans and its relationship to insomnia and depression

Suicide is a significant public health problem associated with numerous health factors such as insomnia. Suicidal ideation is common among veterans, who often present with multiple comorbidities. The present study examined direct and indirect relationships among suicidal ideation, insomnia, depression, and alcohol use. U.S. veterans (n = 850) recently separated from military service completed phone-based interviews covering multiple domains. Tests of indirect effects and bias-corrected confidence intervals were used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a larger parent study examining relationships among the latent variables of suicidal ideation, insomnia, alcohol use, and depression. In this analysis insomnia did not have direct associations with suicidal ideation (Β = 0.06, t = 0.29, p = .772) or alcohol use (Β = 0.07, t = 1.73, p = .084). Insomnia severity was, however, significantly and positively related to depression severity (Β = 0.58, t = 21.70, p < .001). Additionally, more severe depression was associated with greater intensity of suicidal ideation (Β = 0.59, t = 3.64, p < .001). Notably, insomnia's indirect effect on suicidal ideation was driven by depression. In this sample of returning veterans, insomnia appears to indirectly impact suicidal ideation through its relationship with depression. This finding suggests the potential utility of addressing insomnia as part of an overall approach to reducing depressive symptomatology and indirectly, suicidal ideation.

Sleep problems as a risk factor for suicide: Are certain specific sleep domains associated with increased suicide risk?

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep problems and suicidal ideation in depressive patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Evidence from diverse settings and populations indicates that sleep problems are associated with suicidal ideation. However, relationships between them are not well defined. This study was conducted in order to explore whether poor sleep was associated with suicidal ideation above and beyond depression and whether specific domains of sleep were related to suicidal ideation. We also determined whether the association between sleep problems and suicidal ideation was mediated by depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged 18-65 years from an outpatient clinic at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital were recruited for this study. From September 2010 to November 2017, a total of 909 participants were included in the final sample. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess psychiatric symptoms. Independent samples t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation analyses, hierarchical multiple regression analyses, and mediation analyses were performed using SPSS PROCESS macro.

RESULTS

The majority of participants with suicidal ideation also had sleep problems (94.9%). After controlling for age, marital status, and depressive symptoms, total sleep problems estimated by the PSQI global score were also significant associated with suicidal ideation. Among seven sleep components derived from the PSQI, several components including cough or snore loudly, have bad dreams, and use sleep medication were associated with increased suicide risk. Also, the relationship between sleep problems and suicidal ideation was mediated by depressive symptoms indirectly. There was no convincing direct relationship between sleep problems and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigating the pathways which connect sleep problems and suicidality is fundamental to the development of suicide prevention. While it might be premature to suggest specific interventions, it would be important for clinicians to consider evaluating and managing sleep problems in the context of suicidality.

Employment Status Among U.S. Military Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Mediation Analyses and the Goal of Tertiary Prevention

For most individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the ability to work is crucial to financial and psychological well-being. TBI produces a wide range of cognitive, physical, emotional, and interpersonal impairments that may undermine the ability to work. Employment is therefore a primary goal of TBI rehabilitation and has been the focus of extensive research. Although this literature has identified predictors of employment outcomes, few studies have examined the mechanisms that underlie these associations. Mediation analysis can identify these mechanisms, provide a more nuanced view of how predictors jointly affect rehabilitation outcomes, and identify predictors that, if treatable conditions, could be useful targets for tertiary prevention. Such efforts are aimed at reducing long-term impairments, disability, or suffering resulting from the injury. The study sample comprised 83 U.S. military veterans with TBI who had participated in a larger rehabilitation study and were interviewed in their homes. Bivariate tests revealed significant associations of employment with pain, cognitive functioning, self-rated health, depressive symptoms and physical functioning; the latter variable was operationalized in two ways—using the Patient Competency Rating Scale and the SF–36V physical functioning subscales. Because these physical functioning measures were highly intercorrelated (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001), separate regression models were conducted. In the hierarchical binary logistic regression models, predictors were entered in order of modifiability, with comorbidities (pain) entered in block 1, physical health/functioning sequelae in block 2, and depressive symptoms in block 3. In the regression using the SF-36V measure of physical functioning, pain's effect was mediated by the physical functioning/health predictors, with only physical functioning emerging as significant, but this effect was itself mediated by depressive symptoms. In the regression using the PCRS physical-function measure, only depressive symptoms emerged as a mediator of other effects. Findings underscore the central role of depression in the employment status of veterans with TBI, suggesting that negative effects of other problems/limitations could be mitigated by more effective treatment of depression. Thus, for many with chronic TBI who live with vocational limitations, outcomes may improve with lower depression. Findings argue for the wider use of mediation approaches in TBI research as a means of identifying targets for tertiary prevention of poor outcomes.

Insomnia and risk for suicidal behavior: A test of a mechanistic transdiagnostic model in veterans

BACKGROUND

Insomnia has been shown to have direct and indirect associations with suicidal ideation, attempts, and death in U.S. military and veteran populations. However, transdiagnostic models of insomnia and psychopathology have not been used to examine the contribution of psychopathology.

METHOD

The present study is a secondary analysis examining the associations among insomnia symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, interpersonal theory of suicide variables, and risk for suicidal behavior in community veterans (n = 392). Serial mediation was used to test sequential associations, allowing for examination of direct and indirect associations.

RESULTS

The model with insomnia, PTSD, and depressive symptoms, and thwarted belongingness, accounted for 29% of the variance in risk. Insomnia symptoms had an indirect association through PTSD and depressive symptoms, and thwarted belongingness. The model with insomnia, PTSD, and depressive symptoms, and perceived burdensomeness accounted for 35% of the variance in risk. Insomnia symptoms had an indirect association through PTSD and depressive symptoms, and perceived burdensomeness.

LIMITATIONS

Data are cross-sectional, precluding the testing of causal associations.

CONCLUSIONS

In veterans, insomnia symptoms may be associated with increased PTSD and depressive symptoms, which may be associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior directly and indirectly through relationship disruptions.

Posttraumatic stress disorder clusters and suicidal ideation

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with suicidal ideation and behavior. However, less is known about how the PTSD symptom clusters, namely alterations in arousal and reactivity (AAR), negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM), avoidance, and intrusion, uniquely relate to suicidal ideation. This study aimed to characterize the associations among suicidal ideation and these symptom clusters.

METHODS

Study 1 (n = 346) and Study 2 (n = 194) included community members and treatment-seeking adults at an anxiety specialty clinic, respectively. Participants completed measures of trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

In both studies, suicidal ideation significantly and positively correlated with all PTSD factors. In Study 1, Wald tests of parameter constraints indicated that NACM and AAR had the strongest associations with suicidal ideation, followed by intrusion and avoidance. Results were replicated when restricting the sample to individuals with probable PTSD. In Study 2, suicidal ideation significantly and positively correlated with all PTSD factors; there were no differences in the strength of the suicidal ideation-PTSD factors relations.

LIMITATIONS

The studies were cross-sectional and relied on a single-item measure of suicidal ideation.

DISCUSSION

All PTSD factors significantly and positively correlated with suicidal ideation, and the NACM and AAR PTSD clusters were most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in Study 1. Therefore, clinicians should be cautious to thoroughly screen patients with elevations on these PTSD cluster scores for suicide risk.

Empirical Sample Size Guidelines for Use of Latent Difference Score Mediation

Mediation models are commonly used to identify the mechanisms through which one variable influences another. Among longitudinal mediation methods, latent difference score mediation stands out due to its unique ability to capture non-linear change over time. However, there is limited information regarding sample size demands to achieve adequate power with this method, resulting in few applications of latent difference score mediation. To address this limitation, the current study presents empirically supported sample size guidelines for 10 common latent difference score mediation structural models and 9 unique population models. The results of this study offer researchers with a set of representative sample estimates that may be used when designing studies or seeking funding.

Depression and the relationship between sleep disturbances, nightmares, and suicidal ideation in treatment-seeking Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans

BACKGROUND

Research on the relationship between insomnia and nightmares, and suicidal ideation (SI) has produced variable findings, especially with regard to military samples. This study investigates whether depression mediated the relationship between: 1) sleep disturbances and SI, and 2) trauma-related nightmares and SI, in a sample of treatment-seeking Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and veterans (N = 663).

METHOD

Regression analyses were used to investigate associations between sleep disturbances or trauma-related nightmares and SI while controlling for depressive symptom severity, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, anxiety symptom severity, and alcohol use severity. Bootstrapped resampling analyses were used to investigate the mediating effect of depression.

RESULTS

Approximately two-thirds of the sample (68%; N = 400) endorsed sleep disturbances and 88% (N = 516) reported experiencing trauma-related nightmares. Although sleep disturbances and trauma-related nightmares were both significantly associated with SI on their own, these relationships were no longer significant when other psychiatric conditions were included in the models. Instead, depressive symptom severity emerged as the only variable significantly associated with SI in both equations. Bootstrap resampling analyses confirmed a significant mediating role of depression for sleep disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that sleep disturbances and trauma-related nightmares are associated with SI as a function of depressive symptoms in treatment-seeking CAF personnel and veterans. Treating depression in patients who present with sleep difficulties may subsequently help mitigate suicide risk.

Agitation as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Insomnia and Current Suicidal Ideation in the Military

Research has established a link between agitation and insomnia, both of which are considered to be risk factors for suicide. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of agitation within the relationship between insomnia and current suicidal ideation in a sample of U.S. military personnel. Consistent with hypotheses, the relationship between insomnia and current suicidal ideation was significant only at high levels of agitation. Results support previous findings indicating that both insomnia and agitation are suicide risk factors. These findings clarify the role of known risk factors in the pathway to suicide and may contribute to the advancement of suicide detection and prevention, as these factors may be more easily identified in individuals unwilling to admit thoughts of death and suicide, such as many military personnel.

Suicidality in sleep disorders: prevalence, impact, and management strategies

Sleep disturbances are associated with suicide-related thoughts and behaviors, and the incidence of sleep concerns and suicide has increased recently in the US. Most published research exploring the sleep-suicidality relation is focused on select sleep disorders, with few reviews offering a comprehensive overview of the sleep-suicidality literature. This narrative review broadly investigates the growing research literature on sleep disorders and suicidality, noting the prevalence of suicide ideation and nonfatal and fatal suicide attempts, the impact of several sleep disorders on suicide risk, and potential sleep-disorder management strategies for mitigating suicide risk. Aside from insomnia symptoms and nightmares, there exist opportunities to learn more about suicide risk across many sleep conditions, including whether sleep disorders are associated with suicide risk independently of other psychiatric conditions or symptoms. Generally, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials examining the modification of suicide risk via evidence-based sleep interventions for individuals with sleep disorders.

Effects of a Serotonin 2C Agonist and a 2A Antagonist on Actigraphy-Based Sleep Parameters Disrupted by Methamphetamine Self-Administration in Rhesus Monkeys

Sleep disorders and substance abuse are highly comorbid and we have previously shown that methamphetamine self-administration significantly disrupts activity-based sleep parameters in rhesus monkeys. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the effectiveness of any pharmacological intervention to attenuate the effects of methamphetamine on nighttime activity under well-controlled conditions in laboratory animals. Thus, we examined the effects of a 5-HT_2C receptor agonist, WAY163909, and a 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist, M100907, given alone and in combination, on actigraphy-based sleep parameters disrupted by methamphetamine self-administration in non-human primates. Adult male/female rhesus monkeys self-administered methamphetamine (0.03 mg/kg/injection, i.v.) under a fixed-ratio 20 schedule of reinforcement (60-min sessions once a day, 5 days per week). Nighttime activity was evaluated using Actiwatch monitors. WAY163909 (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg), M100907 (0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg), and a combination (0.1 mg/kg M100+0.3 mg/kg WAY) were administered i.m. before lights-out. Each dose was given for five consecutive days during which self-administration took place in the morning. Both drugs improved activity-based sleep measures disrupted by methamphetamine by decreasing sleep latency and increasing sleep efficiency compared with vehicle. By combining these drugs, their individual effects were significantly enhanced. Agonists at the 5-HT_2C receptor and antagonists at the 5-HT_2A receptor show promise as potential treatments for the sleep-disrupting effects of stimulants when used alone and in combination. Combining subthreshold doses of WAY and M100 produced significant improvements in nighttime activity measures while avoiding the general motor-decreasing effects of the high dose of WAY.

Interplay among pain intensity, sleep disturbance and emotion in patients with non-specific low back pain

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common problem worldwide. There are several negative consequences of LBP, such as sleep disorders, work leave, disability, depression, anxiety, and poor quality of life. In this study, we designed to evaluate the prevalence of sleep disturbance in patients with non-specific LBP(NSLBP), and cross-correlation among sleep disorder, anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with NSLBP.

Aim

In this study, we designed to evaluate the prevalence of sleep disturbance in patients with NSLBP, and cross-correlation among sleep disorder, anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with NSLBP.

Methods

A cross-sectional self-assessment questionnaire survey was carried out in an outpatient clinic. Anonymous assessments were used to characterize the presence of NSLBP, PSQI, VAS, SF-36 form, ODI, BAI and BDI. Cross-correlation among the severity of NSLBP and sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression and life quality were evaluated.

Results

Patients with NSLBP have a higher incidence of sleep disorder, anxiety and depression, and higher ODI scores than healthy people without LPB (P < 0.01). NSLBP patients with sleep disorders have more severe anxiety, depression, an increased VAS score and poor daily living (P < 0.05). NSLBP patients with anxiety have declined sleep quality, poor daily living, decreased work and social skills, and increased LBP severity (P < 0.05). NSLBP patients with depression have declined sleep quality, poor daily living, decreased work and social skills (P < 0.05). Significant associations were found between the severity of NSLBP and sleep disorders, anxiety and ODI scores.

Conclusion

Psychological and social factors play an important role in the development of NSLBP. NSLBP leads to sleep disorders, which decrease the sleep quality and increase the unpleasant emotions and memories in return; these can exacerbate the severity of LBP, with the cycle repeating to form a vicious circle.

Sleep Disturbance in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Epiphenomenon or Causal Factor?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this review is to integrate recent findings on sleep disturbance and PTSD, examine sleep disturbance as a causal factor in the development of PTSD, and identify future directions for research, treatment, and prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent research highlights a relationship between both objective and subjective sleep disturbance and PTSD across diverse samples. Sleep disturbance also predicts PTSD over time. Finally, treatments targeting sleep disturbance lead to decreased PTSD symptoms, while standard PTSD treatments conclude with residual sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance may be more than a mere epiphenomenon of PTSD. Future research examining the causal role of sleep disturbance in the development of PTSD, as well as the utility of targeting sleep disturbance in prevention and treatment, is necessary to fully understand the likely bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and PTSD.

Examining the role of psychological factors in the relationship between sleep problems and suicide

We sought to conduct the first systematic review of empirical evidence investigating the role of psychological factors in the relationship between sleep problems and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Twelve studies were identified which examined psychological factors grouped into four categories of cognitive appraisals, psychosocial factors, emotion regulation strategies, and risk behaviours. Although there was substantial heterogeneity across studies with respect to measurement, sampling, and analysis, preliminary evidence indicated that negative cognitive appraisals, perceived social isolation, and unhelpful emotion regulation strategies may contribute to the association between sleep problems and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Given that findings in this area are currently restricted to studies with cross-sectional designs, the directionality of the interrelationships between these psychological factors, sleep problems and suicidality, remains unclear. We integrate the findings of our review with contemporary psychological models of suicidal behaviour to develop a clear research agenda. Identified pathways should now be tested with longitudinal and experimental designs. In addition, a more thorough investigation of the complexities of sleep, psychological factors, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours is crucial for the development of targeted psychological interventions.

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Systematic review of the role of psychological factors in sleep/suicide relationships

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Review findings integrated with suicide theory to define a clear research agenda.

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Reliance on cross-sectional designs limits interpretation of directionality of pathways.

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Identified pathways should be investigated with longitudinal and experimental designs.