Co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness in patients with narcolepsy type 1

Objective: To assesses the prevalence and co-occurrence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). Patients/Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 127 patients with NT1 (mean age 38.2 +/- 15.5 years, 53.5 % female) and 131 controls (mean age 37.4 +/- 14.3 years, 59.5 % female) matched for age, sex, and education, filled in the following validated questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Comparisons between groups and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Patients with NT1 presented significantly higher scores in BDI, suicidal thoughts (BDI-item-9), STAI-trait, STAI-state, and BHS than controls. Adjusted for age, sex, and educational level, NT1 was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (BDI >= 13; OR 3.23, 95%CI 1.71-6.10), trait anxiety symptoms (STAI-trait >= 38; OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.14-3.21), co-occurrence of BDI >= 13 with STAI-trait >= 38 (OR 2.72, 95%CI 1.47-5.05), and with STAI-state >= 38 (OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.17-4.30), and moderate to severe hopelessness (BHS >= 9; OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.55-5.63). Conclusions: Patients with NT1 present a multidimensional psychiatric burden and comorbidity between symptoms of depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts, a concern that deserves tailored interventions.