New research has shown that patients with mental health disorders and those taking psychotropic drugs are at a higher risk of experiencing sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. A recent study conducted by Ray M. Merrill, Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, focused on the correlation between mental disorders and sleep issues and whether specific psychotropic drugs were associated with sleep disorders after adjusting for mental disorders.
The study found that mental disorders are positively correlated with sleep apnea and insomnia. The researchers also found that the association is greater among patients with multiple mental disorders. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have the strongest association with insomnia, while bipolar disorder and depression have the highest association with sleep disorders.
The retrospective cohort study used medical claim data from Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators (DMBA) for mental disorders, psychotropic drug use, and demographic data for individuals aged 18-64 years between 2016-2020. The results showed that 11.7% of patients filed one or more claims for a sleep disorder, including insomnia (2.2%) and sleep apnea (9.7%). The rates for selected mental disorders ranged from 0.09% for schizophrenia to 8.4% for anxiety.
Patients with bipolar disorder and depression have a higher rate of sleep apnea, while patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have a higher rate of insomnia. The study also found a significantly positive association between mental disorders and both insomnia and sleep apnea, which was more pronounced for insomnia, particularly if the patient had other comorbid mental disorders.
The study also highlighted the impact of psychotropic drugs, revealing that non-barbiturate sedatives and psychostimulants were the psychotropic drugs with the largest effect on sleep disorders such as insomnia. On the other hand, psychostimulants and anticonvulsants had the most considerable effect on sleep apnea. The researchers noted that the majority of the positive association between anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder in patients with insomnia was explainable by psychotropic drugs other than CNS stimulants.
The study results suggest that mental disorders, comorbid mental disorders, and psychotropic drugs are all crucial factors that increase the risk of sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. The study’s findings suggest that there is a need for enhanced management of mental disorders and careful monitoring of the use of psychotropic drugs to reduce the risk of sleep disorders.
In conclusion, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia are common in people with mental disorders. The study results also suggest that patients with bipolar disorder, depression, or comorbid mental disorders are at a higher risk of developing sleep disorders. Furthermore, the study highlights the impact of psychotropic drugs on sleep disorders. Therefore, it is essential to improve the management of mental disorders and monitor the use of psychotropic drugs carefully to reduce the risk of sleep disorders. The study provides valuable insights that could help healthcare professionals improve the care and treatment of patients with mental health disorders, reducing the risk of sleep disorders and improving patient outcomes.
