Insomnia as a predictor of depression

Chiara Baglioni, MD

Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy
University of Freiburg Medical Center
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Numerous studies have highlighted a strong association between insomnia and mood/psychiatric morbidities. While insomnia has been considered secondary to mood and psychiatric conditions in the past, modern thinking considers insomnia as an independent diagnostic construct that shares pathophysiologic mechanisms with depression. The current study by Chiara Baglioni and colleagues(J Affect Disord. 2011 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]) investigates insomnia as a predictor of depression. Their analysis revealed an increased risk of depression in this patient population. Using insomnia as a predictor of depression will facilitate early intervention and reduce morbidity in this patient population.

References

Peterson MJ, Benca RM. Sleep in mood disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2006;29:1009-1032; abstract ix.
Breslau N, Roth T, Rosenthal L, Andreski P. Sleep disturbance and psychiatric disorders: a longitudinal epidemiological study of young adults. Biol Psychiatry. 1996;39:411-418.
Szklo-Coxe M, Young T, Peppard PE, Finn LA, Benca RM. Prospective associations of insomnia markers and symptoms with depression. Am J Epidemiol. 2010;171:709-720.
Baglioni C, Battagliese G, Feige B, et al. Insomnia as a predictor of depression: a meta-analytic evaluation of longitudinal epidemiological studies. J Affect Disord. 2011:[Epub ahead of print].

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