Older adults who suffer from sleep disturbances could be more likely to commit suicide.
This age group has a disproportionately higher rates of suicide compared with other age groups, Stanford University Medical Center reported. The study was published on Aug. 13 in JAMA Psychiatry.
"This is important because sleep disturbances are highly treatable, yet arguably less stigmatizing than many other suicide risk factors," said Rebecca Bernert, PhD, lead author of the study.
To make their findings the researchers looked at data from 14,456 adults aged 65 and older. Thy compared the sleep quality of 20 individuals who died of suicide with the sleep patterns of 400 similar people over a 10-year period. They found the participants who reported poor sleeping habits had a 1.4 times greater risk of death by suicide.
"Our findings suggest that poor sleep quality may serve as a stand-alone risk factor for late-life suicide," Bernert said.
The study highlights the link between depression and suicide risk, and identifies sleep quality as an independent factor. The team found poor sleep could predict suicide risk better than depressive symptoms.
"Suicide is the outcome of multiple, often interacting biological, psychological and social risk factors," Bernert said. "Disturbed sleep stands apart as a risk factor and warning sign in that it may be undone, which highlights its importance as a screening tool and potential treatment target in suicide prevention."
"Suicide is preventable," she added. "Yet interventions for suicide prevention are alarmingly scarce."
Most of the study participants were white men, who have a heightened suicide risk compared to the majority of the population. The researchers noted more studies will be required to see if the correlation between sleep and suicide risk is prevalent in women, minorities, and young people.
"Bernert recommended organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) as resources for people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide," the University stated.
