Predictors of primary medical care consultation for sleep disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and risk factors for primary care consultations for insomnia and/or snoring/sleep apnea.


METHODS
Retrospective cross-sectional, population-based postal survey of 10,000 people randomly selected from the New South Wales electoral roll; 3300 responded (35.6%). Direct contact with a random subset from the non-responders (n=100) was also undertaken with a response rate of 49%.


RESULTS
The population weighted prevalence for having insomnia was 33.0%, with 11.1% visiting a doctor. The weighted prevalence for reporting a visit to the doctor for snoring/sleep apnea was 6.2%, while 2.9% reported having visited a doctor for both disorders. The percentages of males and females consulting their doctor for either sleep disorder were similar. Independent risk factors for insomnia visits were: being older, daytime sleepiness, short sleep durations, and reduced enthusiasm. Self-medication for insomnia symptoms was common. Independent risk factors for snoring/sleep apnea visits were: being older, daytime sleepiness, short sleep durations, and reduced enthusiasm.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors for seeking medical help for self-suspected insomnia or snoring/sleep apnea were similar. The reported excess proportion of men being diagnosed in sleep apnea clinics appears to be related to a differential referral by clinicians. We recommend that clinicians discuss both insomnia and snoring/sleep apnea because these disorders are commonly found in patients presented with either condition.
Bartlett
Delwyn J
DJ
Sleep & Circadian Research Group, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. delwynb@med.usyd.edu.au
Marshall
Nathaniel S
NS
Williams
Anthony
A
Grunstein
Ron R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives