Insomnia symptoms and HIV infection among participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the prevalence of insomnia symptoms among women with and without HIV-infection and examined factors associated with insomnia.


METHODS
Participants (n = 1682) were enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS); 69% were infected with HIV. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from standardized interviewer-administered instruments and physical/gynecological exams. Analysis focused on sociodemographics, sleep measures, depressive symptoms, drug use, alcohol consumption, medications, and HIV-related clinical variables. Women were classified as having symptoms of insomnia if they reported either difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening ≥ 3 times a week in the past 2 weeks.


RESULTS
Overall, HIV-infected women were 17% more likely to endorse insomnia symptoms than uninfected women (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34, P < 0.05). The adjusted prevalence of insomnia symptoms varied by HIV status and age groups. Among women ages 31-40 years, those with HIV infection were 26% more likely to endorse insomnia symptoms than their counterparts (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.59, P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms based on HIV treatment type. Multivariate-adjusted regression analyses showed that depression was the most consistent and significant independent predictor of the likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms across all age strata.


CONCLUSIONS
Insomnia symptoms are common among both HIV-infected and uninfected women. Prevalence of insomnia did not vary significantly by HIV status, except among younger women. Younger women with HIV infection are at greater risk for experiencing insomnia symptoms.
Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098, USA. gjean-louis@downstate.edu
Girardin
G
Jean-Louis
Kathleen M
KM
Weber
Bradley E
BE
Aouizerat
Alexandra M
AM
Levine
Pauline M
PM
Maki
Chenglong
C
Liu
Kathryn M
KM
Anastos
Joel
J
Milam
Keri N
KN
Althoff
Tracey E
TE
Wilson
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult