Insomnia in Sweden: A Population-Based Survey

Abstract EN

Aims.

Estimate the prevalence of insomnia and examine effects of sex, age, health problems, sleep duration, need for treatment, and usage of sleep medication.

Methods.

A sample of 1,550 subjects aged 18–84 years was selected for a telephone interview.

The interview was completed by 1,128 subjects (72.8%).

Results.

24.6% reported insomnia symptoms.

Insomnia disorder, that is, insomnia symptoms and daytime consequences, was reported by 10.5%.

The prevalence was similar among all age groups, with the exception of women aged 40–49 years who demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence, 21.6%.

Having at least one physical or psychiatric disorder was reported by 82.8% of subjects with insomnia disorder.

Mean sleep duration for subjects with insomnia disorder was 5.77 hours on weeknights and 7.03 hours on days off/weekends.

The corresponding figures for subjects without insomnia disorder were 7.04 hours and 7.86 hours, respectively.

Among those with insomnia disorder 62.5% expressed a need for treatment, and 20.0% used prescribed sleep medication regularly.

Conclusions.

Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent in the population.

There are significant associations between insomnia disorder and physical and psychiatric disorders.

A majority of subjects with insomnia disorder expressed a need for treatment, indicating a public health problem.