Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in idiopathic hypersomnia: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Abstract

Study Objectives To assess the frequency and factors associated with depressive symptoms, major depressive episode (MDE), suicidal thoughts, and risk in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), a rare hypersomnolence disorder, compared to controls, and to evaluate their changes after management. Methods Consecutive untreated adult IH patients, diagnosed in a Reference Center for Rare Hypersomnias, were compared to controls from the general population. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), including one item on suicidal thoughts. Patients underwent standardized evaluations with polysomnography (PSG), completed the IH Severity Scale, and self-questionnaires on fatigue, anxiety, and quality of life (QoL). A subgroup underwent the face-To-face Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose past/current MDE and identify suicidal risk. Another subgroup completed the BDI-II again during follow-up, after months of stable treatment. Results About 729 participants were included: 265 IH (30.6 ± 9.7 years) and 464 controls (30.5 ± 10.1 years) with no differences in age, sex, or body mass index. Patients had higher odds of moderate/severe depressive symptoms (OR = 7.68; 95% CI = [4.31; 13.7], p