INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mirtazapine on sleep quality in real-world outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Demographic characteristics of MDD outpatients were collected and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: In 3,924 MDD outpatients after treatment, sleep efficiency was significantly higher (P < 0.001), global PSQI score was significantly lower (P < 0.01), the reduction rates of sleep latency (P < 0.01) and global PSQI score (P < 0.001) were notably higher, and the proportion of using sleep medications (P < 0.05) was significantly lower in the mirtazapine group. In 3,455 MDD outpatients with insomnia after treatment, the reduction of sleep latency (P < 0.001), the prolongation of sleep duration (P < 0.001), and the increase in habitual sleep efficiency (P < 0.001) were more obvious, the reduction rates of sleep latency (P < 0.05) and global PSQI score (P < 0.001) were significantly higher, and the proportion of using sleep medications (P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the mirtazapine group. In 469 MDD outpatients without insomnia after treatment, the reduction of sleep latency (P < 0.05), the increase in sleep duration (P < 0.001) and habitual sleep efficiency (P < 0.001), and the reduction rate of global PSQI score (P < 0.05) were significantly greater in the mirtazapine group. DISCUSSION: This real-world study suggests that mirtazapine improves sleep quality of MDD outpatients, and decreases the concomitant use of sleep medications.
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mirtazapine on sleep quality in real-world outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Demographic characteristics of MDD outpatients were collected and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: In 3,924 MDD outpatients after treatment, sleep efficiency was significantly higher (P < 0.001), global PSQI score was significantly lower (P < 0.01), the reduction rates of sleep latency (P < 0.01) and global PSQI score (P < 0.001) were notably higher, and the proportion of using sleep medications (P < 0.05) was significantly lower in the mirtazapine group. In 3,455 MDD outpatients with insomnia after treatment, the reduction of sleep latency (P < 0.001), the prolongation of sleep duration (P < 0.001), and the increase in habitual sleep efficiency (P < 0.001) were more obvious, the reduction rates of sleep latency (P < 0.05) and global PSQI score (P < 0.001) were significantly higher, and the proportion of using sleep medications (P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the mirtazapine group. In 469 MDD outpatients without insomnia after treatment, the reduction of sleep latency (P < 0.05), the increase in sleep duration (P < 0.001) and habitual sleep efficiency (P < 0.001), and the reduction rate of global PSQI score (P < 0.05) were significantly greater in the mirtazapine group. DISCUSSION: This real-world study suggests that mirtazapine improves sleep quality of MDD outpatients, and decreases the concomitant use of sleep medications.