Mendelian randomization of individual sleep traits associated with major depressive disorder

Observational studies have shown that individual sleep traits habits are potential risk factors for major depression. However, it is not known whether there is a causal relationship between individual sleep traits habits such as continuous sleep duration, short sleep duration, short sleep duration, insomnia, nap during the day, snoring, and major depression. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to predict major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals sleep traits habits.

Data were obtained from the genome-wide association study (GWAS). Nine MR analysis methods were used: Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) [fixed effects/multiplicative random effects], simple mode, simple mode, weighted mode, simple median, weighted median, penalised weighted median, and MR-Egger, MR Egger (bootstrap). IVW was used as the main analysis method for the MR analysis of two samples, and the other methods were used as supplements.

The results obtained through the IVW method supported a causal relationship between sleep duration and decreased risk of MDD (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 0.998; 95 % CI: 0.996-0.999, P<0.001). Two-Sample MR, results showed that short sleep duration has a causal effect on the increased risk of MDD (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 1.179; 95 % CI: 1.108-1.255, P<0.001). However, there were no sufficient evidence supported that long sleep duration has a causal effect on the decreased risk of MDD (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 0.991; 95 % CI: 0.924-1.062, P = 0.793). A significant causal relationship between insomnia and increased risk of MDD was observed (OR: 1.233; 95 % CI: 1.214-1.253, P<0.001). Interestingly, our study also found that daytime napping has a causal effect on the increased risk of MDD (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 1.519; 95 % CI: 1.376-1.678, P<0.001). The present results did not show a significant causal relationship between snoring and the risk of MDD (OR_ivw: 1.000; 95 % CI: 0.998-1.002, P = 0.906). Obstructive sleep apnea (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 1.021; 95 % CI: 0.972-1.072, P = 0.407) and morning person (odds ratio, OR_ivw: 1.021; 95 % CI: 0.972-1.072, P = 0.407) have no causal effect on the increased risk of MDD.

The study could not ascertain whether there were genetic differences among different ethnicities, nations, and regions, as it only included participants of European ancestry.

In summary, our research provides genetic evidence for the relationship between individual sleep traits (short sleep duration, insomnia, daytime napping) and the increased risk of MDD. Interventions targeting lifestyle factors may reduce the risk of MDD.