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Insomnia in primary care patients.
T Shochat1, J Umphress, A G Israel
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA.
Sleep
|July 8, 1999
Summary
Primary care patients experience high rates of insomnia, with nearly 70% reporting sleep issues. Chronic insomnia significantly impacts daily function and drives help-seeking behaviors, yet effective treatment remains limited.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Primary Care Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder affecting a significant portion of the population.
- Understanding insomnia's prevalence in primary care is crucial for effective patient management.
- Help-seeking behaviors for insomnia vary, necessitating research into influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of insomnia among primary care patients.
- To investigate patients' help-seeking behaviors related to insomnia.
- To compare insomnia frequency in primary care versus the general population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 286 primary care patients in California and Hawaii.
- Sleep questionnaires administered to adult patients upon clinic arrival.
- Nonparametric statistics and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of insomnia was 69% (50% occasional, 19% chronic).
- Chronic insomnia correlated with severe sleep complaints, poor daytime functioning, and increased help-seeking.
- Physical well-being, duration of insomnia, age, and income predicted discussing sleep problems with a physician.
Conclusions:
- Primary care patients exhibit a higher insomnia prevalence than the general population, likely due to co-occurring conditions.
- Despite detectable symptoms, many primary care patients with insomnia are undertreated.
- Further research is needed to improve insomnia diagnosis and treatment in primary care settings.