[An epidemiological analysis of insomnia at a primary care center]

To evaluate the real problems of insomnia, analysing its prevalence and its characteristic presentation, within the clinics using an appointment system at a Primary Care Centre.

Observation study of a crossover type, by means of a personal interview.

Primary Care context.

The survey was on the basis of a sample population calculated for qualitative variables (N = 470; a = 0.05; p = 0.50; i = 0.05). A total of 490 patients, taken from the appointment lists of on-demand clinics by means of systematic sampling (K = 4), were studied.

The reply index was 100%. Out of a sample study population of 490, 278 patients with insomnia were recorded. 65.83% had proximal insomnia (difficulty in getting to sleep); 49.28%, interrupted sleep (intermittent insomnia); and 16.5% of cases, late insomnia (premature waking). Insomnia was persistent in 69.1% of cases and transitory in 30.9%. Regarding the aetiological factors linked to insomnia, non-organic mental disorder (64.29%); known organic Pathology (25%).

57% (CI 0.53 divided by 0.61) of the population under study had suffered insomnia at some time. 61.9% of these were suffering it at the time of the survey; and only 44% of these sought medical advice for the problem. We found that a significant relationship existed between suffering insomnia and age, civil status and socio-economic level. It is important to manage and have sufficient knowledge of insomnia, as it is a common health problem in Primary Care.