Insomnia in patients with traumatic brain injury: frequency, characteristics, and risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To document the frequency of insomnia (according to DSM-IV and ICSD criteria), to describe its sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and to identify potential predictors of insomnia in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: Four hundred fifty-two participants aged 16 years and older with minor to severe TBI answered a questionnaire pertaining to quality of sleep and fatigue.


METHODS
Proportion of participants fulfilling criteria for insomnia symptoms or syndrome. Validated measures of insomnia severity, fatigue level, and psychologic distress. Results of a logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, 50.2% of the sample reported insomnia symptoms and 29.4% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for an insomnia syndrome. For the latter participants, insomnia was a severe and chronic condition remaining untreated in almost 60% of cases. Risk factors associated with insomnia were milder TBIs, and higher levels of fatigue, depression, and pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Insomnia is a prevalent condition after TBI requiring more clinical and scientific attention as it may have important repercussions on rehabilitation.
Ouellet
Marie-Christine
MC
Ecole de psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. marie-christine.ouellet.1@ulaval.ca
Beaulieu-Bonneau
Simon
S
Morin
Charles M
CM
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires