Insomnia Symptoms are Common Among Community Dwelling African Americans Who Report Poor Sleep

African Americans experience health disparities and notably report poorer sleep than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. This study aimed to identify behavioral and physiological contributors of self-reported poor sleep among African Americans.

Eighty African Americans (50.1 ± 16.1 years [mean ± SD], 69 women) who reported poor sleep (<7 hr sleep/night, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, unrefreshing sleep, etc.) were enrolled. Sleep patterns were determined by 7-day accelerometry. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleep Hygiene Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) assessed sleep habits and disorders. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and Beck's Depression Inventory were also administered.

Participants self-reported poor sleep quality (PSQI, 9.63 ± 3.89) and insomnia symptoms (ISI, 14.4 ± 5.9); 45% of participants had clinically significant insomnia symptoms (ISI score > 15). Short sleep duration was common, with 72.5% of participants sleeping less than 6.5 hours/night. Sleep continuity was lacking (wake after sleep onset: 54.1 ± 30.4 minutes; sleep fragmentation index 29.0 ± 9.9%). High ISI scores were correlated with larger body mass index and worse scores for sleep quality, sleep hygiene, stress, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and depression (r range: 0.25-0.60).

Insomnia symptoms were common among our cohort of African Americans. Considering the relationships observed with ISI, treatment of insomnia may be targeted to reduce health disparities.