Prevalence and consequences of insomnia disorders in the general population of Italy

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of insomnia disorders using DSM-IV classification, and the consequences of insomnia in the Italian general population. Methods: A representative sample of the Italian general population composed of 3970 individuals aged 15 years or older were interviewed by telephone using the Sleep-EVAL system (participation rate: 89.4%). Participants were interviewed about their sleep habits and sleep disorders. DSM-IV classification was used by Sleep-EVAL to determine the sleep disorder diagnosis. Results: Insomnia symptoms were reported by 27.6% of the sample. Sleep dissatisfaction was found in 10.1% and insomnia disorder diagnoses in 7% of the sample. The use of sleep-enhancing medication was reported by 5.7% of the sample. Most of these subjects were using anxiolytics. Dissatisfaction with sleep was associated with daytime sleepiness. Middle-aged drivers dissatisfied with their sleep were three times more likely to have had a road accident in the previous year compared to other drivers. However, fewer than 30% of subjects dissatisfied with their sleep or with an insomnia disorder diagnosis had consulted a physician about their sleep problem. Conclusions: As in other European and non-European countries, insomnia is widespread in Italy. The consequences are important. Appropriate recognition and treatment of insomnia should be part of an educational program for general practitioners everywhere. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.