Sleep in Spouses of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) severely impacts both patients and their families. This study aimed to compare sleep quality, insomnia severity, and daytime sleepiness in partners of individuals with OCD against a healthy control group. Additionally, it investigated how patient OCD severity and partner depression and anxiety symptoms relate to these sleep outcomes.

This cross-sectional case-control study included 104 spouses of OCD patients (46 females, 58 males; mean age 37.92 ± 8.22 years) and 100 healthy control spouses (48 females, 52 males; mean age 38.40 ± 7.93 years), all married for at least one year. Spouses completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Patient OCD severity was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).

OCD spouses exhibited significantly higher anxiety and depression scores than controls. Poor sleep quality was reported by 57.7% of OCD spouses versus 32% of controls. After adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, education, sex, marriage duration), OCD spouses demonstrated significantly worse sleep quality and higher daytime sleepiness. Female spouses experienced a significantly more severe burden of insomnia and sleep disturbances than males. Independent of group, higher depression scores correlated with poorer sleep parameters. Furthermore, patient OCD severity positively correlated with all partner sleep scale scores.

We conclude that partners of individuals with OCD are particularly vulnerable to complex sleep difficulties, including poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. By broadening our clinical focus to address these hidden sleep issues and psychological needs, we may help mitigate secondary health risks and improve the overall well-being of affected families.