Mental health according to sleep duration in stroke survivors: A population-based nationwide cross-sectional study

Many stroke survivors experience sleep disorders, and are at risk of severe depression and stress. This study examined the association between mental health and sleep duration among Korean stroke survivors.

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys V (2010-2012) and VI (2013). The nationally representative sample included 504 adults aged ≥19 years.

The odds ratio for suicidal ideation was 2.71 (95% confidence interval 1.11-6.60) for stroke survivors who slept <5 h as compared with stroke survivors who slept between 6 and 8 h. Although stress and depression did not differ according to sleep duration, suicidal ideation did.

Sleep duration should be considered as a possible leverage point for preventing suicidal ideation among stroke survivors, and health promotion programs that promote and educate survivors about the importance of appropriate sleep duration are required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; ••: ••-••.