An exploratory analysis of the association of circadian rhythm dysregulation and insomnia with suicidal ideation over the course of treatment in individuals with depression, insomnia and suicidal ideation

Meredith E. Rumble, William V. McCall, Daniel A. Dickson, Andrew D. Krystal, Peter B. Rosenquist, Ruth M. Benca

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep disturbance is significantly associated with suicidal ideation. However, the majority of research has examined the relationship between insomnia and suicidality. The current exploratory study examined the relationship of circadian rhythm dysregulation (eveningness, seasonality, and rhythmicity) with suicidality.

METHODS: We examined the association of insomnia, eveningness, seasonality, and rhythmicity with suicidal ideation in 103 participants with depression, insomnia, and suicidality within a larger 8-week double-blinded randomized control trial primarily examining whether cautious use of zolpidem extended-release (ER) or placebo reduced suicidal ideation. All participants additionally received an open-label selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Methodological strengths of the current analyses included consideration of multiple sleep-wake constructs, adjustment for relevant covariates, investigation of relationships over the course of treatment, and use of both self-report measures and objective measurement with actigraphy.

RESULTS: Over the course of treatment, self-reported eveningness and greater insomnia severity were independently correlated with greater suicidal ideation, whereas actigraphic delayed sleep timing was related to suicidal ideation at a trend level. At the end of treatment, those with greater suicidal ideation demonstrated lower actigraphic activity levels. There were no significant relationships between self-reported seasonality and actigraphic measures of sleep disturbance and suicidality.

CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported delays in sleep timing, objectively lower activity levels, and self-reported insomnia severity correlated independently to greater suicidal ideation in those with depression, insomnia, and suicidality. These exploratory findings highlight the need to consider sleep-wake constructs more broadly in those with suicidality in future research studies to more definitively improve both assessment and intervention efforts.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01689909.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1311-1319
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Volume16
Issue number8
Early online dateApr 24 2020
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2020

Keywords

  • Circadian rhythm
  • Depression
  • Eveningness
  • Insomnia
  • Rhythmicity
  • Suicidal ideation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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