[Insomnia. Prevalence and treatment of patients in general practice].
Year: 2001
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of insomnia and the treatments used by patients attending general practice clinics. DESIGN: Survey of outpatients. SETTING: Quebec city, Que. metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighteen patients recruited in waiting rooms of general practice clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed a survey on sleep and use of substances for insomnia, a questionnaire documenting their medical history and use of health care services, and three indices measuring presence of worry and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULT: Close to 38% of respondents suffered from insomnia: 26.2% had chronic insomnia and 11.4% had short-term insomnia. Prevalence was higher among women and people 35 to 54 years old. Among respondents who used substances to help them sleep, those 55 years and older consumed more prescription and medications (benzodiazepines); those 35 to 54 years old used mainly natural products; and those 16 to 34 years old consumed mainly over-the-counter medications. Respondents suffering from insomnia made heavier use of health care services and reported more worry and symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who slept well. CONCLUSION: Patients attending general practice clinics have a high prevalence of insomnia. Physicians must be on the lookout for these sleep disturbances so they can offer appropriate treatment.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: F C Blais, C M Morin, A Boisclair, V Grenier, B Guay
Institution: Université Laval
Language: French
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1933993410