Insomnia and Daytime Sleepiness Are Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly

Abstract

Insomnia symptoms, EDS, and the use of medication independently increase the risk of subsequent depression in the elderly. In clinical practice, disturbed sleep and prolonged use of sleep medication may be early indicators or potentially reversible risk factors for depression, suggesting the need for further clinical interventional research.

Sleep Duration, Insomnia, and Coronary Heart Disease Among Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative

“…With regard to depression, the literature suggests that clinical depression is a predictor of cardiovascular disease among women 64 and is associated with sleep disturbances. 65 In this study, among women with a high insomnia level (WHIIRS ‡ 9), 20.8% were depressed compared with only 6.6% of those with a WHIIRS < 9 ( p < 0.001), and it is likely that these differences in depression status may impact sleep characteristics. Although we adjusted for depression using the [CESD/DIS] measure, the Burnam screen is not a perfect measure of clinically diagnosed depression.…”

Insomnia among community dwelling elderly in Alexandria, Egypt

“…Jaussent et al [38] reported that insomnia symptoms independently increased the risk of subsequent depression. The design used in the present study did not support the categorization of psychiatric disorders as either a risk factor or a consequence of the disorder, such as in longitudinal cohort studies.…”

Physiological Levels of Melatonin Relate to Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms: The HEIJO-KYO Cohort

“…Physiological levels of melatonin influence sleep quality and circadian biological rhythmicity, and poor sleep quality and circadian misalignment are associated with metabolic abnormalities and depressed mood (14,34,35). Low physiological levels of melatonin are also associated with increased incidence of diabetes and hypertension (36,37).…”