Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Depression, Overweight, and Diabetes

Daytime sleepiness is likely to stem from depression or metabolic factors such as diabetes and obesity, rather than sleep apnea, researchers here report.

A cross-sectional study of 16,583 men and women found depression to be the strongest risk factor for excessive daytime sleepiness (P<0.0001), researchers reported in the latest issue of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. A body mass index of 28 or higher and diabetes (P<0.001) were also significant and independent risk factors.

On the other hand, sleep apnea was not as significant a risk factor as once believed (P=0.266), wrote investigators led by Edward O. Bixler, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry at Pennsylvania State University here.

"When we addressed the relative contribution of various factors for the complaint of excessive daytime sleepiness, current treatment for depression was most strongly associated," the researchers wrote. This relationship held even after controlling for antidepression medication.

Read more: Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Depression, Overweight, and Diabetes