Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate reasons for insomnia symptoms and their associations with sleep medication prescription in elderly patients in general practice.Design: Over a period of 20 weekdays, general practitioners (GPs) recorded reasons and treatment for insomnia symptoms. Patient characteristics and outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was used to analyse the associations between reasons for insomnia symptoms and prescription.Setting: General practices in the Region of Southern Denmark.Subjects: Consultations (n = 405) with patients older than 65 years presenting with insomnia symptoms.Main outcome measures: Reasons for insomnia symptoms and sleep medication prescription.Results: The most commonly reported reasons for insomnia symptoms were somatic illness (34%) and psychiatric diagnosis (29%). Having a psychiatric diagnosis or multiple reported reasons for insomnia increased the odds for prescription (odds ratio (OR) 4.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.41-9.90 and OR 2.10, CI 1.03-4.28), whereas being first consultation regarding insomnia symptoms decreased the odds (OR 0.17, CI 0.10-0.30). A total of 80% received a prescription, most frequently of Z-hypnotics (49%). About half (52%) of the patients consulting their GP for the first time with insomnia symptoms received a prescription.Conclusion: Somatic and psychiatric diseases were the most commonly reported reasons for insomnia symptoms in the elderly, suggesting a high prevalence of comorbid insomnia. Regardless of reason, a majority of the consultations resulted in prescription of sleep medication with potential serious adverse effects. This indicates that there is still room for improving the management of insomnia among older adults. Key PointsAlthough insomnia is common in the elderly, little is known about its reasons and their associations with prescription patterns. The most commonly reported reasons for insomnia symptoms in the elderly are psychiatric diagnosis and somatic illness. According to guidelines, sleep medication with potential serious adverse effects is prescribed too frequently to elderly patients. An effort should be made to identify and optimally treat comorbid insomnia, which appears to be prevalent in older adults.
Highlights
Difficulties falling asleep, interrupted sleep, early awakening and other insomnia symptoms affect up to 3050% of adults [1,2]
Regardless of reason, a majority of the consultations resulted in prescription of sleep medication with potential serious adverse effects
Out of 1,123 consultations registered in the audit, a total of 405 concerned elderly patients and were included in this study
Summary
Difficulties falling asleep, interrupted sleep, early awakening and other insomnia symptoms affect up to 3050% of adults [1,2]. Some studies indicate that the prevalence of insomnia symptoms increases with age [1,3], and is associated with negative effects on cognitive function [4,5]. Treatment of sleep problems in older adults can be challenging for various reasons. Sleep duration and quality are reduced with increasing age [5], but insomnia symptoms should, not be dismissed as just a part of normal aging [1,5]. Body composition and organ function change with increasing age, resulting in altered pharmacokinetics
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