A survey of sleep habits and sleeping difficulties in an elderly Swedish population.
A random sample of 876 subjects aged 65-79 years were investigated by means of a questionnaire concerning sleep and related factors. Sleep problems were reported by 23.8% of females and 13.3% of males. Moderate or major complaints of maintaining sleep were reported by 43.5% of subjects, early morning awakening 33.4% and difficulties falling asleep 31.4%. Daytime sleepiness was more common among males, and a relationship between daytime sleepiness and perceived poor sleep was found. Daytime napping was common, but not related to poor sleep. The prevalence of regular sleeping pill users was 7.6% for females and 3.0% for males and a relationship between sleep problems, sleeping pill usage and psychiatric symptoms was established. Among the regular sleeping pill users 39.1% had possible depression (PD) and 63.0% had possible anxiety disorder (PA). Among respondents with sleep complaints 29.8% had PD and 48.7% had PA. Sleep problems were also related to impaired physical health. Various medical illnesses contributed to sleep complaints among males, and depression affected sleep the most among females.
Mallon
L
L
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hetta
J
J
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives