Effects of melatonin on the quality of life in patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome.

Compared health-related quality of life of 43 delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) patients (mean age 34.1 yrs) with a random Dutch sample of 1,063 Ss (aged 18-89 yrs) and 95 sleep apnea, 262 clinical depression, 546 migraine, and 194 osteoarthritis patients. The effectiveness of treatment with 5 mg of melatonin on the quality of life of DSPS patients was also investigated. DSPS patients completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 [MOS SF-36] health survey) just before and 2-9 mos after participation in a clinical trial involving the administration of melatonin. Scores were compared with responses to the same survey by a random Dutch sample and by the patients with sleep apnea, clinical depression, migraine, and osteoarthritis. MOS SF-36 scales scores were significantly lower in DSPS patients relative to age- and gender-adjusted norms for the Dutch sample. Some health dimensions were more affected, and others less affected, by DSPS compared with the other chronic conditions. Melatonin treatment improved all scales except the scale "role due to emotional problems." It is concluded that DSPS has a unique significant quality-of-life burden that seems to be improved by treatment with melatonin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2000 APA, all rights reserved)