Increased Global PSQI Score Is Associated with Depressive Symptoms in an Adult Population from the United States

Abstract

Background

Although sleep problems are associated with a wide range of mental problems, it remains uncertain whether the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score is related to depressive symptoms in an adult population.

Patients and Methods

Data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, including a general adult population, were obtained. A total of 1002 individuals (aged 34–84 years) were included in this study. Linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between sleep parameters from the PSQI score and depressive symptoms.

Results

The median age of all participants was 53.0 years old, and 45.2% of them were male. After adjustments were made for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, currently diagnosed diseases and inflammatory markers, global PSQI score was significantly associated with depression score in the linear regression model (0.298 [0.207–0.389], P<0.001; Model 3). A higher global PSQI score was independently and significantly associated with depressive symptoms (score ≥16) in the logistic regression model (1.235 [1.150–1.325], P<0.001; Model 3). Stratified analysis showed that the independent association between global PSQI score and depressive symptoms was affected by hypnotics use, but not antidepressants use.

Conclusions

A higher global PSQI score is significantly associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms in an adult population from the United States. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to assess whether reducing the global PSQI score may improve symptoms of depression.

Keywords:

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
• depression
• cross-sectional study

Acknowledgments

We thank all individuals who were responsible for the planning and administering of the MIDUS study and making the datasets of MIDUS available on their website. We also acknowledge the reviewers and editors for viewing our work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest and have nothing to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Our study was not supported by any funding.