Sleep quality among individuals with ketamine use and the mediating role of craving

Cheng-Fang Yen,Hung-Chi Wu,Chih-Yao Hsu,Huang-Chi Lin,Chih-Hung Ko,Peng-Wei Wang

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-77631-9

Abstract

Sleep problems are common in Taiwan. Poor sleep may be associated with many illnesses, including substance use disorders. Ketamine use disorder has significantly increased in Taiwan in recent years and may lead to physical and cognitive problems. Craving for ketamine is a risk factor for ketamine use and relapse, and poor sleep quality may increase craving. This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of craving on the relationship between poor sleep quality and ketamine use. Demographic data, sleep quality, severity of dependence and craving were recorded for current ketamine users and abstinent ketamine users. Mediation analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of craving on the relationship between poor sleep and ketamine use. This study enrolled 414 current ketamine users with ketamine use disorder, 238 current ketamine users without ketamine use disorder, and 102 abstinent ketamine users with ketamine use disorder. Compared with healthy controls, all ketamine users had poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was associated with the initiation of and dependence on ketamine use. Craving can mediate the relationship between poor sleep quality and ketamine use. Poor sleep quality remains a problem for those abstaining from ketamine use. Poor sleep quality in ketamine users is an important issue because it is directly and indirectly through craving associated with ketamine use.

Highlights

With ketamine use may provide insight into managing individuals suffering from ketamine use disorder because treatment for ketamine use disorder is not yet available[18]
We hypothesized that (1) poor sleep quality may be associated with the initiation of and dependence on ketamine use and (2) craving mediates the relationship between sleep quality and ketamine use
414 (63.69%) of the current ketamine users from the community fulfilled the criteria for ketamine use disorder as set out in the DSM 5, while the others did not

Summary

Introduction

With ketamine use may provide insight into managing individuals suffering from ketamine use disorder because treatment for ketamine use disorder is not yet available[18]. Poor sleep quality may increase craving in people with substance use d isorders[20,21]. Poor sleep quality is an important health issue in substance users, as complaints regarding sleep are common[25]; there has been little study of how poor sleep quality is related to ketamine use disorder and how craving mediates sleep quality and ketamine use. Sleep is a private experience, and the components and importance of sleep quality vary across individuals. Self-reported evaluations are essential to measure sleep quality. This study aimed to explore the relationships between self-reported sleep quality and ketamine use. We hypothesized that (1) poor sleep quality may be associated with the initiation of and dependence on ketamine use and (2) craving mediates the relationship between sleep quality and ketamine use

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion