[Are sleep disorders an underestimated symptom? Preliminary report from the screening study]

introduction: Sleep disorders are burdensome health problem coexisting with mental disorders and somatic diseases. The study aim was to assess prevalence of sleep disorders and analyses of comorbidity.

Study included 76 participants (50 women and 26 men; mean age: 48.5) who attended prophylactic examinations. We used Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD PHQ) created for preliminary diagnosis of mental disorders. Among items assessing depression there is a question concerning sleep disorders. Data from medical review were used.

Sleep disorders were declared by 50% of participants, 54% of them were women. In age group between 60-76 disorders were declared by 68.2%, from group 16-39 years--45% and 41.2% aged 40-59 years. Among those with sleep disorders 42.1% had preliminary diagnosis of mental disorders. In this group significantly higher was the percentage of patients with diagnosed somatic disease as well as the number of somatic complaints and stress factors.

1. Sleep disorders are common symptoms, especially in older adults and women. 2. Mental disorders, somatic diseases and complaints as well as stress factors are significantly more common among patients with sleep disorders. 3. Sleep disorders consist important premise for diagnosing mental disorders. 4. Screening for sleep disorders may be vital element of diagnostic and therapeutic process in primary care.