Associations Between Poor Sleep Quality, Anxiety Symptoms, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Adolescents Before and During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study

Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, adolescents' emerging mental health and behavior issues have been an international public health concern. This longitudinal study aimed to examine the situation of poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents and to explore the associations between them before and during COVID-19. A total of 1,952 middle and high school students as eligible participants at baseline (pre-COVID-19, Wave 1; response rate: 98.79%), 1,831 eligible students were followed up at Wave 2 (October 2019 to December 2019, pre-COVID-19; retention rate: 93.80%), and 1,790 completed the follow-up at Wave 3 (during the COVID-19; retention rate: 97.80%). The mean age of the baseline students was 13.56 (SD: 1.46) years. The differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms between Wave 1, Wave 2, and Wave 3 were not statistically significant. The proportion of students with poor sleep quality increased over time, from Wave 1 (21.0%) to Wave 3 (26.0%, OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.17–1.60, P = 0.001) and from Wave 2 (21.9%) to Wave 3 (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.11–1.51, P < 0.001). The cross-lagged generalized linear mixed models revealed that the concurrent and cross-lagged associations of poor sleep quality with anxiety symptoms across the three waves were significant (P < 0.05) and vice versa. Only a marginally significant positive cross-lagged association between poor sleep quality at Wave 2 and depressive symptoms at Wave 3 was found (standardized β estimate = 0.044, SE = 0.022, P = 0.045). Sleep quality was adversely affected during COVID-19, and the bidirectional associations of poor sleep quality with anxiety symptoms could not be neglected.

The effect of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances on sleep quality in adults and adolescents in Saudi Arabia using Pittsburgh sleep quality index

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pain caused by orthodontic fixed appliances on sleep quality of participants using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Materials and Methods: A previously validated Arabic version of PSQI was electronically distributed through different social media platforms and in waiting areas of orthodontic offices. Eligibility criteria included healthy adults and adolescents with orthodontic fixed appliances and with no systemic conditions that may affect sleep. The cut-off point used to determine poor sleep quality was (>5). Results: Three hundred and eighteen participants were included in the final analysis (28.9% males and 71.1% females). Both males and females with orthodontic fixed appliances had poor sleep quality with (Mean = 6.48, SD = 2.85, P = 0.000) for males, and (Mean = 7.18, SD = 2.87, P = 0.000) for females. Comparing males and females, we found that females scored higher than males in both subjective sleep quality and PSQI global score. Conclusion: Individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances have poor sleep quality. Females undergoing orthodontic treatment tend to have poorer sleep quality compared to males.

Decrease in Sleep Duration and Poor Sleep Quality over Time Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Incident Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The impact of changes in sleep duration and sleep quality over time on the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not known. We investigated whether changes in sleep duration and in sleep quality between baseline and follow-up are associated with the risk of developing incident NAFLD. The cohort study included 86,530 Korean adults without NAFLD and with a low fibrosis score at baseline. The median follow-up was 3.6 years. Sleep duration and quality were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Hepatic steatosis (HS) and liver fibrosis were assessed using ultrasonography and the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4). Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis). A total of 12,127 subjects with incident HS and 559 with incident HS plus intermediate/high FIB-4 was identified. Comparing the decrease in sleep duration of >1 h, with stable sleep duration, the multivariate-adjusted HR (95% CIs) for incident HS was 1.24 (1.15–1.35). The corresponding HRs for incident HS plus intermediate/high FIB-4 was 1.58 (1.10–2.29). Comparing persistently poor sleep quality with persistently good sleep quality, the multivariate-adjusted HR for incident HS was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.05–1.20). A decrease in sleep duration or poor sleep quality over time was associated with an increased risk of incident NAFLD, underscoring an important potential role for good sleep in preventing NAFLD risk.

Utility of Visual Analog Scale of Subdomain Scores of the 22-Item Sinonasal Outcome Test in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

The burden of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptomatology is frequently measured with the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). In some situations, such as when there is need for frequent sampling, a full SNOT-22 may be impractical, and an abbreviated measure may be useful. Herein, we study 4 questions reflecting the 4 SNOT-22 subdomains as accurate reflections of SNOT-22 content. In total, 250 patients with CRS completed a SNOT-22 and answered 4 questions about their total nasal symptoms, poor sleep quality, ear/facial pain, and mood (reflecting SNOT-22 subdomains) using visual analog scales (VASs). The 4 SNOT-22 subdomain VAS scores each correlated strongly with the corresponding SNOT-22 subdomain scores. The sum of the 4 subdomain question VAS scores was highly correlated with the total SNOT-22 score ( r = 0.77, P < .001). This preliminary study suggests information from the SNOT-22 may be ascertained through 4 questions reflecting the 4 SNOT-22 subdomains, although further validation is needed.

Examining the Impact of Employment Status on Sleep Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Low-Income Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA

Study Objectives African Americans have faced disproportionate socioeconomic and health consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study examines employment and its association with sleep quality during the initial months of the pandemic in a low-income, predominantly African American adult sample. Methods In the early months of COVID-19 (March to May 2020), we administered a survey to an ongoing, longitudinal cohort of older adults to assess the impact of COVID-related changes in employment on self-reported sleep quality (N=460; 93.9% African American). Participants had prior sleep quality assessed in 2018 and a subset also had sleep quality assessed in 2013 and 2016. Primary analyses focused on the prevalence of poor sleep quality and changes in sleep quality between 2018 and 2020, according to employment status. Financial strain and prior income were assessed as moderators of the association between employment status and sleep quality. We plotted trend lines showing sleep quality from 2013 to 2020 in a subset (n=339) with all four waves of sleep data available. Results All participants experienced increases in poor sleep quality between 2018 and 2020, with no statistical differences between the employment groups. However, we found some evidence of moderation by financial strain and income. The trend analysis demonstrated increases in poor sleep quality primarily between 2018 and 2020. Conclusions Sleep quality worsened during the pandemic among low-income African American adults. Policies to support the financially vulnerable and marginalized populations could benefit sleep quality.

Poor sleep quality is negatively associated with low cognitive performance in general population independent of self-reported sleep disordered breathing

Background Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) plays a significant role in both sleep quality and cognition and whether it has an impact on the relationship between above two factors remains to be clear. The study aimed to explore the association between sleep quality and cognitive performance in general population by considering influence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled subjects aged ≥ 18 years using a multi-stage random sampling method. Cognitive status was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaire, sleep quality using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and SDB was assessed using No-SAS scale, respectively. Multi-variable logistic regression was applied to examine the association of sleep quality and cognitive performance. Subgroup analyses were performed in different age groups, and in those with and without SDB. Results Finally, 30,872 participants aged 47.5 ± 13.8 years with 53.5% women were enrolled, of whom 32.4% had poor sleep quality and 18.6% had low cognitive performance. Compared with good sleepers, subjects with poor sleep quality exhibited significantly higher presence of low cognitive performance (23.7% vs 16.2%, P < 0.001). Poor sleepers revealed 1.26 (95%CI: 1.16,1.36), 1.26 (1.08,1.46) and 1.25 (1.14,1.37) fold odds for low cognitive performance in general population and in subjects with and without self-reported SDB respectively. Stratified by age and SDB, the association was observed in young and middle-aged group without SDB (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.30,1.59) and in the elderly group with SDB (OR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07,1.58). Conclusions Sleep quality is in a negative association with cognitive performance in general population independent of SDB, implying improvement of sleep disturbances is a potential objective of intervention strategies for cognitive protection at population level.

Emotional Regulation Activities Moderates the Risk of Depression in People With Sleep Disturbance: Evidence From a Community Health Survey

Background and Objective It is widely known that poor sleep quality is closely related to depression, but there are limited studies on the mediating factors.Methods Based on national health survey data, the relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms was explored, and structural equations were drawn to determine whether emotional regulation activities, such as regular breakfast, regular exercise, smoking, and drinking contribute to poor sleep quality-induced depression.Results There was a significant correlation between poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms. Regular breakfast tended to mediate between poor sleep quality and depression the most, followed by smoking, drinking, and regular exercise.Conclusions Several emotional regulation activities including regular breakfast, can play a protective role in the process leading to poor sleep quality-induced depression. A follow-up study is required to examine the clinical aspect of how regular breakfast can prevent the process of poor sleep quality to depression.