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The Problem of Long-Term Insomnia:a 5-YearFollow-Up Study in a Middle-Aged Population
Kirsti Martikainen, M.D., Ph.D., Markku Partinen, M.D., Joel Hasan, M.D.,
Pekka Laippala, Ph.D., Helka Urponen, Ph.D., Ilkka Vuorii, Ph.D.
The prevalence and evolution of insomnia during 5-year follow-up was studied in a ran-
domly selected middle-aged population in Finland.In the original study a structured sleep
questionnaire was completed by 1190 subjects (549 men and 641 women)and a 5-year
follow-up questionnaire was returned by 626 (264 men and 362 women).Insomnia symptoms
(at least 1-2 x/wk)during past three months were reported by 9.1%of men and 9.7%of
women in the first survey,while the mean age of the subjects was 43.7 years.Mild insomnia
symptoms (1-2 x/wk)was reported by 6.4%and severe (3-7x/wk)by 3.1%of subjects.
Insomnia was a daily problem to 0.5%of men and 1.3%of women.Five years later the
prevalence of insomnia had increased especially among women in menopausal age.The
highest percentages of insomnia were found among 51-year-old and 55-year-old women:
19.8%and 27.4%,respectively.Insomnia had been a long-term problem (reported in both
surveys)for 5.4%of subjects,the 5-year persistence of the symptom was 57.6%.Insomnia
was associated with subjective sleepiness and fatigue,but not with increased frequences
of sleepiness-related traffic accidents.Insomniacs felt more often depression and regarded
themselves nervous and tense;they were also more often unsatisfied with their quality of
life.At the time of the follow-up survey when the oldest age-group was 55 years,the
insomniacs were less often employed than the others:men with weekly insomnia were more
often retired than others,whereas female insomniacs were more often unemployed.(Sleep
and Hypnosis 2001;3(3):97-105)
| Keywords: chronic, depression, follow-up, insomnia, quality of life, sleepiness, work |
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