Studio Morfeo: insomnia in primary care, a survey conducted on the Italian population.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out an observational epidemiological survey (Studio Morfeo), to determine: (1) the frequency of insomnia in a large Italian population presenting directly to the general physician (GP); (2) the impact of insomnia on the quality of life, on the use of health-care resources and on co-morbidity.


METHODS
The study was accomplished by GPs, trained by sleep specialists accredited by the Italian Association of Sleep Medicine. Only patients spontaneously presenting to their GP for medical problems were surveyed. Each GP was asked to enroll at least five patients across a routine week of medical activity including both morning and afternoon clinics. The first patient of each weekday was recruited after obtaining written consent. According to the responses to the sleep-related questions, patients were classified into three categories: (1) no insomnia, (2) level 1 insomnia with absence of day-time dysfunction and (3) level 2 insomnia with presence of day-time dysfunction.


RESULTS
A total of 3284 patients were enrolled by 738 GPs in this Italian survey. Insomnia was reported by 64% of all interviewed patients, with 20% classified as level 1 and 44% as level 2. Logistic analysis indicated that depression (odds ratio, 2.70), involvement of >1 organ systems (odds ratio, 1.24), female gender (odds ratio, 1.19), unemployment (odds ratio, 1.18), low education (odds ratio, 1.18) and increasing age (odds ratio, 1.02) were the major risk factors for insomnia.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that insomnia is a frequent disturbance in the Italian primary care population, is associated with high risk of co-morbid conditions, and results in increased use of health-care resources.
Terzano
Mario Giovanni
MG
Sleep Disorders Center, University of Parma, Via del Quartiere 4, Parma 43100, Italy. mterzano@unipr.it
Parrino
Liborio
L
Cirignotta
Fabio
F
Ferini-Strambi
Luigi
L
Gigli
Gianluigi
G
Rudelli
Giuseppa
G
Sommacal
Sergio
S
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires