0691 Examining the Associations between Insomnia and Adult-ADHD Diagnosis in Army Soldiers

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Most research on the association between insomnia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been conducted in children. It has been established that insomnia and ADHD are frequently comorbid, but less is known about whether the association extends to individual ADHD symptoms, or any possible moderators of the association. This study aims to understand whether sex plays a key role in the moderation between insomnia and ADHD in adult military servicemembers, as well as to investigate the relationship between insomnia diagnosis and ADHD symptomology. Methods Data were obtained from the All Army Study of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS; N=21292; age 18-61, 88.24% male). Participants completed a survey that included items assessing insomnia and ADHD status based on DSM-5 criteria. Chi-squares and logistic regression, including interactions with sex, were used to examine the relationship between insomnia diagnosis and ADHD symptomology. Results There is a significant association between insomnia and ADHD diagnoses (r = 0.30; <.0001), consistent with prior literature. There was a small but statistically significant moderation by sex of the relationship between insomnia and ADHD diagnosis (Chi square = 9.43; p = .002). There was also a strong association between insomnia diagnosis and certain symptoms of ADHD: keeping attention on repetitive work (Chi square = 3687.75; <.0001), remembering appointments (Chi square = 3186.735; <.0001), and getting things in order (Chi square = 2756.28; <.0001). Conclusion Insomnia diagnosis was associated with both ADHD diagnosis and symptomology in a nationwide sample of army servicemembers, with the relationships being stronger in males compared to females. These findings highlight the importance of assessment and treatment of insomnia in patients with ADHD given their interrelationships. Support (If Any) This publication is based on data obtained from Army STARRS (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, University of Michigan-http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR35197-v1). KEM’s time was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Clinical Science Research and Development Service - IK2 CX001874. EAK’s time was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service-1IK2 RX001836.