[Sleep disorders and environmental conditions in the elderly].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence and characteristics of insomnia and its relationship to other health problems, medication, socio-health status and sleep hygiene in the elderly over 65 years of age.


METHODS
Cross sectional study of prevalence.


METHODS
Albacete (Castilla-La Mancha), 2004-2005.


METHODS
A non-institutionalized elderly patient population (n=424).


METHODS
Semi-structured interview. Study variables were: sleep characteristics, socio-familial repercussions, sleep hygiene, health problems, medication, health care utilization and socio-demographic variables. Primary insomnia (PI) was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria.


RESULTS
Reported sleeping difficulties, 34.2%; in 95.7% the sleep disturbance was chronic. The most frequent repercussions were: sensation of insufficient night-time sleep (62.1%) and daytime tiredness or sleepiness (52.2%). 20.3% (95% CI, 16.5-24.1) met criteria for PI. Insomnia rates were significantly higher in females and in subjects maintaining irregular hours and expressing dissatisfaction with bedroom environmental conditions. Psychopharmaceuticals were regularly consumed by 26.9% of the subjects (95% CI, 22.7-31.1). The average number of health problems was higher in subjects with insomnia (2.4+/-1.6 compared with 1.7+/-1.5 in non-insomniacs; P<.001). By means of logistic regression, female gender (OR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.6-4.8) and the existence of 2 or more health problems (OR=2; 95% CI. 1.2-3.4) were associated with PI.


CONCLUSIONS
PI affects approximately one fifth of people over the age of 65. It is more frequent in females and is related to the existence of other health problems, medication and inadequate sleep hygiene.
Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Albacete, España. cboix@sescam.org
Clotilde Boix
CB
Gras
Jesús López-Torres
JL
Hidalgo
Yolanda David
YD
García
Juan Tellez
JT
Lapeira
Alejandro Villena
AV
Ferrer
Ignacio Párraga
IP
Martínez
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*