Insomnia and motor vehicle accident-related injuries, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2007-2016

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in adults, and its incidence is increasing in the U.S. Armed Forces. A potential consequence of insomnia (including medications used to treat it) is increased risk of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), which cause significant morbidity and mortality in service members. To examine the relationship between insomnia and MVA-related injuries in the U.S. Armed Forces, this retrospective cohort study compared incidence rates of MVA-related injuries from 2007 through 2016 between service members with diagnosed insomnia and an unexposed cohort. After adjustment for multiple covariates, service members with insomnia had more than double the rate of MVA-related injuries, compared to service members without insomnia (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.95-2.22). A subanalysis of service members with insomnia during 2014-2016 found no difference in risk of MVA-related injury based on days' supply of sleep aid medications prescribed in 365 days following insomnia diagnosis. Insomnia is an important potential risk factor for MVAs in the military. Sleep health should be a component of MVA prevention efforts.