Effect of sleep problems on depressive disorders 1 year after developing acute coronary syndrome: The K-DEPACS study.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of sleep disturbance evaluated within 2 weeks after patients developed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on depressive disorders at the 1-year follow-up.

METHODS: A total of 1152 patients were recruited consecutively within 2 weeks after a confirmed ACS episode, and 828 were followed 1 year later. Sleep disturbances were evaluated at baseline using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ), which subjectively assesses four sleep factors. At both examinations, depressive disorders were diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Baseline covariates included sociodemographic data, characteristics of depression, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status.

RESULTS: Almost all aspects of the sleep disturbance and the increase in their worst state evaluated by the LSEQ within 2 weeks of ACS predicted both incident and persistent depressive disorders at the 1-year follow-up independent of covariates related to sleep problems.

LIMITATION: Data on sleep disturbance were obtained only by subjective reports.

CONCLUSIONS: A simple evaluation of sleep disturbance in patients who recently developed ACS in a hospital setting could help predict depression at the chronic phase.