Gender differences influence over insomnia in Korean population: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder with substantial psychiatric and physical comorbidities.
• Understanding the influence of demographic and socioeconomic factors on insomnia is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between socioeconomic and demographic factors and gender differences in insomnia and its subtypes.
• To analyze gender-specific risk factors for insomnia in the Korean population.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide, cross-sectional study involving 2695 Korean adults aged 19-69.
• Insomnia symptoms and subtypes were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).
• Sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Goldberg Anxiety Scale (GAS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was 10.7%, with higher rates in women.
• Difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening were more common in women.
• Female gender, shorter sleep duration, and psychiatric complications were independent predictors of insomnia; low income was associated with insomnia in men.

Conclusions:

• Insomnia symptoms and subtypes are more prevalent in women, highlighting gender as an independent risk factor.
• Socioeconomic factors like low income play a role in insomnia, particularly in men.
• These findings underscore the need for gender- and socioeconomic-informed approaches to insomnia management.