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Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders

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Published on: August 18, 2023

[Chronic insomnia: not always psychophysiological].

Nicole E Neerings-Verberkmoes¹, Monique H M Vlak, Lonneke M L de Lau

¹Amsterdam WaakSlaapCentrum, locatie Slotervaartziekenhuis, Amsterdam.

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde

|July 3, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A detailed sleep history can miss organic causes of insomnia, especially in older patients. This highlights the need for objective testing alongside patient history to ensure accurate insomnia diagnosis.

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Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

Area of Science:

Sleep Medicine
Diagnostic Accuracy
Insomnia Etiology

Background:

Psychophysiological insomnia is common, but differentiating it from organic causes based on history alone can be challenging.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of sleep disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a detailed sleep history in identifying psychophysiological insomnia.
To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of sleep history in distinguishing between psychophysiological and organic insomnia.

Main Methods:

A retrospective case file study of 767 patients referred for sleep assessment.
Comparison of probable diagnoses from sleep history with final diagnoses confirmed by polysomnography.
Calculation of sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values.

Main Results:

A detailed sleep history had a sensitivity of 62.1% and specificity of 81.3% for diagnosing psychophysiological insomnia.
Organic causes of insomnia were missed in 24.8% of patients whose histories did not suggest an organic origin.
Older patients with hypersomnolence and high BMI were more likely to have undiagnosed organic insomnia.

Conclusions:

Sleep history alone is insufficient for diagnosing insomnia, risking missed organic causes.
Objective sleep studies like polysomnography are essential for comprehensive insomnia evaluation.
Clinical factors such as age, BMI, and daytime sleepiness influence the likelihood of organic insomnia.