P005 Sex differences in the association between sleep and depressive symptoms in an outpatient sleep disorders clinic

Abstract Introduction Inadequate sleep duration and quality increases the risk and severity of depressive symptoms. Sex differences may influence these associations, but research findings are inconsistent and largely based on healthy populations. This study examined sex differences in the association between sleep and depressive symptoms in people seeking treatment primarily for sleep disorders at an outpatient clinic. Methods 1806 participants were recruited from an outpatient multidisciplinary sleep clinic (48% female; Mean-age = 43.93±16.00 years). Participants self-reported sleep duration, sleep quality (rated 1-4, higher scores represent better sleep quality), and depressive symptoms (PROMIS Short Form v1.0 - Depression 8a) prior to receiving treatment. Results Participants self-reported sleeping 6.49±1.73 hours and depressive symptoms were above population mean (55.95±10.09). Males reported more depressive symptoms than females (p <.001), however there were no significant sex differences in the association between sleep variables and depressive symptoms. Overall, lower sleep quality was associated with greater depressive symptoms (p <.001); and there was a U-shape relationship between sleep duration and depressive symptoms (p =.003), in which both shorter and longer sleep are associated with greater depressive symptoms. Conclusion This study revealed that depressive symptoms were elevated in an outpatient sleep clinic sample compared to population norm, underscoring the importance of recognising and addressing mental health symptoms that coexist with sleep problems. Associations between sleep and depressive symptoms were similar between males and females, but males reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than females. Future studies should explore biopsychosocial factors that may contribute to sex differences in depressive symptoms.