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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Severe sleep disturbance is associated with executive function impairment in patients with first-episode, treatment-naïve major depressive disorders

Authors: Feihuan Cui, Qi Liu, Xiaozhen Lv, Rainer Leonhart, Hongjun Tian, Jing Wei, Kerang Zhang, Gang Zhu, Qiaoling Chen, Gang Wang, Xueyi Wang, Nan Zhang, Yu Huang, Tianmei Si, Xin Yu

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Sleep disturbance and executive function impairment are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), though the relationship between the two remains unclear. We investigated this association in first-episode, treatment-naïve patients with MDD.

Methods

We analyzed data from 242 patients with MDD. We divided the patients into 2 groups based on sleep disturbance severity and compared the executive function odds ratios between the groups.

Results

A total of 121 pairs of patients were matched (age 39.4 ± 10.1, 70.2% female). After propensity score matching, the odds ratios for cognitive impairment in patients with MDD and severe sleep disturbance were 1.922 (1.068–3.459, P = 0.029, q = 0.044) in executive functioning; 2.023 (1.211–3.379, P = 0.007, q = 0.021) in executive shifting.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbance is associated with executive functioning impairment in first-episode, treatment-naïve patients with MDD. Severe sleep disturbance can be a marker and aid in recognizing executive function impairment in patients with first-episode treatment-naïve MDD. Severe sleep disturbance can be a potential modifiable factor to improve executive function in MDD, as well as an effective measurement to improve cognition for sleep symptom management that should be enforced at initial treatment of first-episode MDD. Further study is required to confirm our results.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02023567; registration date: December 2013.

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Title: Severe sleep disturbance is associated with executive function impairment in patients with first-episode, treatment-naïve major depressive disorders
Authors: Feihuan Cui
Qi Liu
Xiaozhen Lv
Rainer Leonhart
Hongjun Tian
Jing Wei
Kerang Zhang
Gang Zhu
Qiaoling Chen
Gang Wang
Xueyi Wang
Nan Zhang
Yu Huang
Tianmei Si
Xin Yu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03194-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Severe sleep disturbance is associated with executive function impairment in patients with first-episode, treatment-naïve major depressive disorders

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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