Poor sleep quality increases suicide risk in older adults

A new study has shown that poor sleep quality without any depression is linked with increased suicide risk in older adults.

The research conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine, California demonstrated that those individuals who reported poorer sleep quality at baseline had a 1.4 times increased risk for suicide.

Rebecca A. Bernert, Ph.D., of the Stanford University School of Medicine, California said that they suggested that poor subjective sleep quality may therefore represent a useful screening tool and a novel therapeutic target for suicide prevention in late life.

Two sleep factors in particular i.e. difficulty falling asleep and nonrestorative sleep were associated with increased suicide risk.