Nocturnal sweating and temperature in depression.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Small observational case-control study with follow-up assessment during recovery.
PubMed 10510699 · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10864.x
What was done
Nocturnal sweat rates, nocturnal body temperature, and REM sleep were measured overnight in 8 depressed subjects and 9 non-depressed controls. Seven of the depressed patients were re-evaluated during recovery. Sweat rates were also examined before, during, and after REM sleep.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, effect sizes, or p-values. Nocturnal temperature was significantly higher in depressed patients compared with controls and decreased significantly with recovery. Nocturnal sweat rates did not differ significantly between depressed patients and controls, but decreased significantly upon recovery. Across the whole sample, there was a trend toward decreased sweat rates during REM sleep.
Why it matters
The study indicates that high nocturnal body temperatures in depression are not caused by reduced nocturnal sweating or impaired evaporative heat dissipation.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n=17 total; 8 depressed, 9 controls). The abstract does not report exact numerical values, variance, diagnostic criteria, or medication status, which could significantly confound autonomic and thermoregulatory measures.
Cited by
- contradicts Studies published by Dr. Avery in the 1980s and 1997 demonstrated that individuals with depression often exhibit elevated nighttime body temperature and impaired thermoregulatory cooling.