ABSTRACT
Background: Depressive disorder is frequently associated with sleep disturbances, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and overall mental health. Understanding the extent and nature of sleep disturbances among individuals with depression is crucial for effective management and therapeutic interventions.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the quality of sleep among patients diagnosed with depressive disorder presenting to a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Services Hospital, Lahore, from September 2024 to February 2025. The sample size was calculated using the WHO sample size calculator, yielding a total of 245 cases with a 95% confidence interval, an absolute precision of 0.05, and an expected prevalence of sleep disturbance of 70%. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing sleep quality and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 10.
Results: Among the 245 participants, a significant proportion reported sleep disturbances, including difficulties in sleep initiation, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and poor sleep quality. The majority of patients exhibited moderate to severe sleep disturbances, with a strong correlation observed between the severity of depressive symptoms and impaired sleep quality. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant association between depressive disorder and various sleep parameters.
Conclusion: Patients with depressive disorder exhibited a high prevalence of sleep disturbances, underscoring the need for integrated psychiatric and sleep-focused interventions. Screening for sleep disturbances should be an essential component of depression management to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.
Keywords: Depressive disorder, sleep quality, sleep disturbance, psychiatric comorbidities, tertiary care hospital