Sleep and hypnotics among the elderly in relation to body weight and somatic disease

To investigate the interrelationship between sleep complaints and hypnotics in relation to general health and somatic diseases.

An epidemiological survey conducted by means of a questionnaire.

The counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten in northern Sweden.

All 10,216 members of the Swedish Pensioners' Association.

Sleep disturbances, health, somatic diseases and hypnotic medication.

General ill health, cardiovascular diseases, different painful diseases and increased nocturnal voiding frequency were all associated with poor sleep and increased treatment with hypnotics. Hypnotics were used by 13.5% of the men and 22.3% of the women. Of the men aged < 70 years, 7.9% were receiving such treatment, of those aged 70-80 years 14.4% were using hypnotics, and of those aged > or = 80 years 21.8% were taking hypnotics (P < 0.0001). The corresponding frequencies among women were 15.0%, 23.0% and 34.9%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Half of all men and women treated with hypnotics in all age groups reported a good night's sleep. Among these both angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmia were twice as common as among elderly subjects who experienced poor sleep and were receiving treatment with hypnotics.

Poor health and different somatic diseases are over-represented in elderly persons treated with hypnotics.