Laurent Stephane Chaïb1, Alejandro Porras Segovia2,3, Enrique Baca-Garcia3,4,5,6, Jorge Lopez-Castroman7,5,8,9. 1. Department of Adult Psychiatry, University Hospital, Place du Pr. R. Debré, 30029, Nimes Cedex 9, France. laurent.chaib@chu-nimes.fr. 2. International School for Postgraduate Studies, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Jimenez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Madrid Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain. 5. CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. 6. Universidad Catolica del Maule, Talca, Chile. 7. Department of Adult Psychiatry, University Hospital, Place du Pr. R. Debré, 30029, Nimes Cedex 9, France. 8. INSERM U1061, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. 9. Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several reviews and metanalyses have shown that sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares, can predict suicidal ideations and behaviors. Common physio-pathological pathways may explain this relationship. However, only in recent years, some research groups have tried to apply this knowledge in the quest for a reliable tool of suicide risk prediction. We aim to describe in this paper the results of studies using ecological or quasi-ecological assessment methods that connect sleep disturbances and suicide risk. RECENT FINDINGS: Our review confirms the paucity of studies on this topic. The few studies that we could analyze suggest the interest of ecological methods of sleep assessment since sleep disturbances predicted the onset or worsening of suicidal ideations and behaviors. Ecological assessment of sleep can help to understand how sleep disturbances contribute to the emergence of suicidal ideations and behaviors. Sleep disturbances appear as a promising "real-life" marker of risk, but further studies are needed to determine if sleep monitoring could guide preventive interventions.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several reviews and metanalyses have shown that sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares, can predict suicidal ideations and behaviors. Common physio-pathological pathways may explain this relationship. However, only in recent years, some research groups have tried to apply this knowledge in the quest for a reliable tool of suicide risk prediction. We aim to describe in this paper the results of studies using ecological or quasi-ecological assessment methods that connect sleep disturbances and suicide risk. RECENT FINDINGS: Our review confirms the paucity of studies on this topic. The few studies that we could analyze suggest the interest of ecological methods of sleep assessment since sleep disturbances predicted the onset or worsening of suicidal ideations and behaviors. Ecological assessment of sleep can help to understand how sleep disturbances contribute to the emergence of suicidal ideations and behaviors. Sleep disturbances appear as a promising "real-life" marker of risk, but further studies are needed to determine if sleep monitoring could guide preventive interventions.