Sleep Deprivation and Depression: A bi-directional association
Abstract
In this issue of SQUMJ, Al-Maddah et al. reported a significant association between sleep deprivation among medical trainees and depressive indices using the Beck Depression Inventory-2.1 Using a cross-sectional study design, the authors found that depressive symptoms were more profound with acute rather than chronic sleep deprivation. They attributed the emerging depressive symptoms among medical residents to the acute lack of sleep because of long working hours, but not to the number of on-call nights per week.1 However, there was no follow-up to ascertain the cause-and-effect relationship between chronic sleep deprivation and depressive indices.
Sleep occupies about a third of our lives and is vital to fulfil physiological needs, particularly in terms of cognitive function and mood. Disrupted sleep is very distressing for most individuals and may have a negative impact on their quality of life. Sleep deprivation has been shown to alter performance among medical professionals and shift workers, with several studies addressing its association with depressive symptoms.2–4 Residents and medical interns often suffer from reduced sleep which may lead to neurobehavioural impairment. Rosen et al. reported that medical interns with chronic sleep deprivation displayed high levels of depression and burnout over a period of one working year.5 In another study, Papp et al. found that chronic sleep loss had a negative impact on residents’ personal lives and their ability to perform…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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