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Functional status in the elderly with insomnia
Jesús López-Torres Hidalgo1, Clotilde Boix Gras, Yolanda David García
1Primary Care Head Office and Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain. jesusl@sescam.org
Summary
Primary insomnia (PI) affects nearly one-fifth of elderly individuals, correlating with anxiety, lower life satisfaction, and psychopharmaceutical use. It does not impact daily activity autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Insomnia significantly impacts the elderly, causing psychological distress.
- Factors like illness, medications, and psychosocial issues contribute to sleep disorders.
- The effect of insomnia on daily activities in the elderly remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between primary insomnia (PI) and physical functioning in the elderly.
- To assess associations between PI, depression, anxiety symptoms, psychological well-being, and psychopharmaceutical use.
- To understand the impact of PI on the elderly's capacity for daily activities.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, observational, populational study involving 424 non-institutionalized elderly patients.
- Data collected through interviews at health centers or homes, applying DSM-IV criteria for PI.
- Utilized standardized scales for depression, anxiety, cognitive state, physical functioning, and life satisfaction; also collected data on health, medications, and demographics.
Main Results:
- 20.3% of elderly participants met criteria for PI, with sleep problems reported by 34.2%.
- PI was associated with anxiety disorders, lower life satisfaction, and psychopharmaceutical consumption.
- Diabetes was more frequent in elderly individuals with insomnia (24.4% vs. 14.7%), but no significant link was found with basic or instrumental daily activities.
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-fifth of non-institutionalized elderly individuals meet PI criteria.
- PI is linked to poorer psychological and social well-being in the elderly.
- Anxiety disorders, low life satisfaction, and psychopharmaceutical use are key associated variables for PI in this population.
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