Articles Vol. 67 No. CĐ5-NCKH 04/05/2026

SLEEP DISTURBANCES AMONG PATIENTS WITH BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER IN THE CURRENT DEPRESSIVE EPISODE ASSESSED BY THE SLEEP-50 SCALE AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, BACH MAI HOSPITAL

Nguyen Van Tuan1,2,3,4, Nguyen Duc Tai5,6, Nguyen Kim Anh1,3, Pham Thi Thu Hien1,3, Bui Van Loi1,3
1 Bach Mai Hospital
2 Hanoi Medical University
3 Bệnh viện Bạch Mai
4 Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội
5 Nghe An Psychiatric Hospital
6 Bệnh viện Tâm Thần Nghệ An
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD5.5021
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Keywords
Bipolar disorder, depressive episode, Sleep 50, insomnia, sleep disturbance
Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence, patterns, and related factors of sleep disturbances using the Sleep-50 scale in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) during a current depressive episode receiving treatment at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 123 patients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder in a current depressive episode according to ICD-10 criteria from January 2025 to October 2025.

Results: Based on the Sleep-50, sleep disturbances were identified in 80.5% of patients. The most prevalent domains were insomnia (84,8%), narcolepsy/hypersomnolence (24,2%) nightmares (20,2%), restless legs/periodic limb movements (9,1%), obstructive sleep apnea (7,1%), and circadian rhythm disorder (4,0%). Among those with insomnia, difficulty initiating sleep (82,1%), difficulty maintaining sleep (66,7%), and early morning awakening (29,8%) were reported. Mean total sleep time was 5,9 ± 1,7 h/night while time in bed averaged 8,7 ± 1,5 h, with poor/very poor sleep efficiency in 75,8% of patients. Significant correlates of sleep disturbance were age ≥ 40 years (OR = 3,04; 95% CI: 1,14–8,09; p = 0,023) and ≥3 hospitalizations (OR = 12,63; 95% CI: 4,18–38,10; p < 0,001).

Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in patients with bipolar depression, with insomnia predominating and marked deficits in sleep efficiency. Older age and greater illness burden (multiple hospitalizations) are key correlates. These findings support the need for routine assessment of sleep problems in patients with bipolar depression.

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