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The Burden of Sleep Problems: A Pilot Observational Study in an Ethnically Diverse Urban Primary Care Setting
Elizabeth K Seng1, Cynthia Cervoni2, Jessica L Lawson2
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA elizabeth.seng@einstein.yu.edu.
Introduction:
Sleep disorders affect up to 1 in 4 adults and can adversely affect a variety of health conditions. However, little is known about detection of sleep disorders in ethnically diverse urban primary care settings.
Methods:
Patients in urban primary care settings completed surveys to screen for sleep problems and identify comorbid conditions. Providers were given screening results, and provided feedback regarding their clinical utility.
Results:
Participants (n = 95) were predominantly women (76.8%) and black, non-Hispanic (46.3%), or Hispanic (38.9%). High proportion of participants screened positive for insomnia (31.6%) and screened high risk for sleep apnea (42.1%). Only one-third (32.6%) of participants reported sleeping the recommended 7 to 9 hours per night. The presence of chronic pain (χ(2) = 4.97, P = .03) was associated with clinically significant insomnia. Obesity was associated with fewer hours of sleep per night, t = 2.19(87), P = .03, and risk for sleep apnea (OR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.28-7.50). Participants were interested in receiving help for sleep issues during their primary care visits (40%), and providers found the screening at least somewhat useful (74.4%).
Discussion:
Results highlight the potentially high unmet need for screening and treatment of sleep problems in ethnically diverse urban primary care settings.
