Causes, day-time consequencies and treatment of insomnia in the Swiss population- The results of a survey

Abstract

Introduction:We showed previously that 31% of Swiss population (N=1002)suffers from insomnia(DSM-IV criteria) (Delini-Stula et al. 2007). We report here the results of the analysis of the causes, day-time consequences and treatments.Method:An 80 items questionnaire was addressed (telephone interview)to a random sample of subjects of both sexes. The recorded responses were either transformed into numerical and categorical values or expressed in percentages of observations. The results were descriptively analyzed.Results:The main causes of insomnia were classified into 6 categories: personal-, professional and financial problems, diseases, alcoholism and environmental factors. The most frequent were personal (32%) and professional (34%) problems. Only 1% of subjects reported financial worries as cause of insomnia. The most prominent day-time consequences were: fatigue (72%, p<0.003) reduced vitality (46%, p<0.002), irritability (54%, p<0.001) depressed mood (44%, p<002)and impaired cognition (44-51 %, p<0.001). 70% of insomnia subjects reported never to use any treatment. Only 40% of severe insomniacs used prescribed drugs. Also, of the whole population only 44% believed in the efficacy of the hypnotics, but 56% though that herbal products are effective.Conclusion:In view of marked day-time consequences and obviously under-treatment, insomnia (defined by DSM-IV criteria) in Switzerland is a problem that needs more attention.