Effects of Venlafaxine on the sleep of depressed patients

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Venlafaxine on polysomnogram and subjective sleep quality of depressed patients.METHODS Polysomnogram assessments were conducted in 20 depressed subjects and 30 normal controls,and the patient group,subjective sleep quality was evaluated by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) and total score of sleep disturbance factor.Then the polysomnographic parameters and subjective sleep quality were compared with those before treatment.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the patient group showed a number of abnormal polysomnographic parameters.After treatment with Venlafaxine in patient group,compared with baseline data,they showed increased number of awakening and awakening-asleeping ratio,decreased sleep efficiency,increased percentage of Stage 1 sleep,reduced REM sleep time and percentage,prolonged REM sleep latency,decreased REM activity and intensity.However,both PSQI total score and HAMD sleep disturbance factor total score decreased obviously.CONCLUSION Venlafaxine can inhibit REM sleep in depressed patients,aggravate their sleep maintenance disorder and result in increase of light sleep,but it can significantly improve their subjective sleep quality.