Sleep problems and their correlates in a working population.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence of sleep problems in a working population and examine their association with health problems, health-related quality-of-life measures, work-related problems, and medical expenditures. Also, to explore the usefulness of a sleep-problems screen for mental health conditions and underlying sleep disorders.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey administered via voice mail and telephone interview.


METHODS
A San Francisco Bay Area telecommunications firm.


METHODS
Volunteer sample of 588 employees who worked for a minimum of six months at the company and were enrolled in its fee-for-service health plan.


RESULTS
Thirty percent of respondents reported currently experiencing sleep problems and were found to have worse functioning and well-being (general health, cognitive functioning, energy), more work-related problems (decreased job performance and lower satisfaction, increased absenteeism), and a greater likelihood of comorbid physical and mental health conditions than were the respondents who did not have sleep problems. They also demonstrated a trend toward higher medical expenditures.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-perceived sleep problems were common among the respondents and were associated with poorer health and health-related quality of life. A single question about sleep problems may serve as an effective screen for identifying primary care patients with mental health problems, as well as underlying sleep disorders.
Kuppermann
M
M
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco 94120, USA.
Lubeck
D P
DP
Mazonson
P D
PD
Patrick
D L
DL
Stewart
A L
AL
Buesching
D P
DP
Fifer
S K
SK
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*