A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep examined potential risk factors for insomnia.
The study from Quebec involved 464 adults who were good sleepers; they had an average age of 45 years. Participants completed a variety of surveys that evaluated their sleep, mental health and physical well-being. Then they were followed up after six months and again after 12 months.
Results show that more than seven percent of the good sleepers developed insomnia syndrome during the one-year follow-up period; they were troubled by a sleep problem at least three nights per week for a month or longer.
Another 31 percent of the good sleepers reported having insomnia symptoms. They also had trouble sleeping at least three nights per week; but their sleep problem caused less distress or lasted less than a month.
In general, self-reported mental health was worse in people who developed insomnia syndrome; they reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Further analysis identified five variables that increased the risk of developing insomnia.
The strongest risk factor was having a previous episode of insomnia. People with a prior history of insomnia were five times more likely to develop a new case of insomnia syndrome.
Another important risk factor was having a family history of insomnia; this increased the risk of developing insomnia by three times.
A third risk factor was cognitive “arousability;” people were more likely to develop insomnia if they have strong emotions and easily become frustrated or excited.
The other two risk factors were general health and bodily pain; insomnia was more common in people with worse self-reported health and more pain.
The study shows that symptoms of insomnia are extremely common. Often these symptoms are a short-term response to a stressor; this is called adjustment insomnia. It tends to last for a few days or a few weeks.
Insomnia also may be related to other health problems. It can result from medical conditions that cause discomfort, pain or breathing problems; it can be caused by a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety; it also can result from the use of a drug or substance such as a prescription medication.
A new study published today provides strong evidence that severe obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of death.
The study shows that the people with severe OSA were 46 percent more likely to die than those who did not have OSA. The risk of death in people with moderate OSA was increased by 17 percent.
The risk of death was even higher in men between the ages of 40 and 70; those with severe OSA were two times more likely to die than men their age who did not have OSA.
“Our study results really raise concern about the potentially harmful effects of sleep apnea,” principal investigator Dr. Naresh Punjabi said in a Johns Hopkins statement. “Such an increased risk of death warrants screening for sleep apnea as part of routine health care.”
Eight percent of men and three percent of women in the study had severe OSA. High blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease were more common in people with moderate to severe OSA.
Last year a study in the journal Sleep reported similar findings. People with severe sleep apnea were three times more likely to die during an 18-year follow-up period. The study also suggested that treating sleep apnea with regular CPAP use may prevent premature death.
To find out, answer these four simple, yes or no “STOP” questions:
S: Do you SNORE loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?
T: Do you often feel TIRED, fatigued, or sleepy during daytime?
O: Has anyone OBSERVED you stop breathing during your sleep?
P: Do you have or are you being treated for high blood PRESSURE?
You have a high risk of sleep apnea if you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions. You have a low risk if you answered “yes” to less than two questions.
The questionnaire has an even higher predictive value when you answer four more questions in the “STOP-Bang” version:
N: Neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.75 in)?
G: Gender male?
You have a high risk of sleep apnea if you answered “yes” to three or more of the eight STOP-Bang questions. You have a low risk if you answered “yes” to less than three questions.
Why is this important? It is estimated that about 80 percent of men and 90 percent of women with moderate to severe sleep apnea are undiagnosed. You could be one of these people.
The STOP-Bang tool was designed for people who are about to undergo surgery. You may have increased complications during surgery if you have undiagnosed sleep apnea.
But it is a useful tool that anyone can use. Yet no screening tool is perfect. And the only way to confirm that you have sleep apnea is with a sleep study. Contact an AASM-accredited sleep center near you for help.
Obstructive sleep apnea can have a severe impact on your health and well-being. Studies have linked it to problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression.
But most people with sleep apnea are unaware that they have it. Could you be one of these people?
Find out by answering these simple questions. See if you might be at risk for sleep apnea.
A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep examined potential risk factors for insomnia.
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