James E Aikens1, Mary E Rouse. 1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. aikensj@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the patient characteristics associated with seeking medical help for insomnia. METHODS: A consecutive sample (n = 700) of adults attending a non-urgent primary care appointment was screened for sleep problems. A follow-up mailed survey then assessed insomnia symptoms, daytime impairment, beliefs about sleep, medication use, sleepiness and fatigue, and medical help-seeking. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of patients with probable insomnia reported discussing this with a physician. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that discussing one's probable insomnia with a physician was independently associated with having a greater number of medical conditions (OR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.13 to 4.22]), being more highly educated (1.67 [95% CI, 1.11 to 2.51]), sleeping less per night (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.52 to 0.96]), and greater perceived daytime impairment due to insomnia (OR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.06 to 4.03]). CONCLUSIONS: Primary care patients often seek medical help when they experience insomnia. Clinical treatment ought to especially target poor sleepers presenting with significant insomnia-related impairment, medical morbidity, or both. Future research should further clarify the role of medical and psychiatric comorbidities and determine whether resolution of insomnia and its consequences improves the outcomes of common medical conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the patient characteristics associated with seeking medical help for insomnia. METHODS: A consecutive sample (n = 700) of adults attending a non-urgent primary care appointment was screened for sleep problems. A follow-up mailed survey then assessed insomnia symptoms, daytime impairment, beliefs about sleep, medication use, sleepiness and fatigue, and medical help-seeking. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of patients with probable insomnia reported discussing this with a physician. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that discussing one's probable insomnia with a physician was independently associated with having a greater number of medical conditions (OR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.13 to 4.22]), being more highly educated (1.67 [95% CI, 1.11 to 2.51]), sleeping less per night (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.52 to 0.96]), and greater perceived daytime impairment due to insomnia (OR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.06 to 4.03]). CONCLUSIONS: Primary care patients often seek medical help when they experience insomnia. Clinical treatment ought to especially target poor sleepers presenting with significant insomnia-related impairment, medical morbidity, or both. Future research should further clarify the role of medical and psychiatric comorbidities and determine whether resolution of insomnia and its consequences improves the outcomes of common medical conditions.
Authors: Hazel Everitt; Lisa McDermott; Geraldine Leydon; Harvey Yules; David Baldwin; Paul Little Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Philip Cheng; David A Kalmbach; Gabriel Tallent; Christine Lm Joseph; Colin A Espie; Christopher L Drake Journal: Sleep Date: 2019-10-09 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Christi S Ulmer; Hayden B Bosworth; Jean C Beckham; Anne Germain; Amy S Jeffreys; David Edelman; Stephanie Macy; Angela Kirby; Corrine I Voils Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2017-08-15 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Girardin Jean-Louis; Hans von Gizycki; Ferdinand Zizi; Amita Dharawat; Jason M Lazar; Clinton D Brown Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2008-10-15 Impact factor: 4.062