Abstract
Objectives: One of the largest clusters of Covid-19 infections was observed in Italy. The population was forced to home confinement, exposing individuals to increased risk for insomnia, which is, in turn, associated with depression and anxiety. Through a cross-sectional online survey targeting all Italian adult population (≥18 yrs), insomnia prevalence and its interactions with relevant factors were investigated.Methods: The survey was distributed from 1st April to 4th May 2020. We collected information on insomnia severity, depression, anxiety, sleep hygiene behaviors, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, circadian preference, emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, perceived stress, health habits, self-report of mental disorders, and variables related to individual difference in life changes due to the pandemic's outbreak.Results: The final sample comprised 1,989 persons (38.4 ± 12.8 yrs). Prevalence of clinical insomnia was 18.6%. Results from multivariable linear regression showed that insomnia severity was associated with poor sleep hygiene behaviors [β = 0.11, 95% CI (0.07–0.14)]; dysfunctional beliefs about sleep [β = 0.09, 95% CI (0.08–0.11)]; self-reported mental disorder [β = 2.51, 95% CI (1.8–3.1)]; anxiety [β = 0.33, 95% CI (0.25–0.42)]; and depression [β = 0.24, 95% CI (0.16–0.32)] symptoms.Conclusion: An alarming high prevalence of clinical insomnia was observed. Results suggest that clinical attention should be devoted to problems of insomnia in the Italian population with respect to both prevention and treatment.
Highlights
On 21st February 2020 several cases of Covid-19 disease emerged in a specific area of Lombardy in Italy
The present paper focuses on insomnia in the Italian population during the lockdown, as a key vulnerability condition for mental health
The present study aims at providing a snapshot of the prevalence of insomnia disorder in the Italian population during Covid-19 pandemic and investigating its association with potential risk factors and its link with anxiety and depression symptoms
Summary
On 21st February 2020 several cases of Covid-19 disease emerged in a specific area of Lombardy in Italy. The infection spread within the North of the country. On Monday 9th March the entire country was declared “protected area” and in the “lockdown” condition. The following rule was established: possibility to go out only for reasons of certified necessity such as for food shopping, work needs, purchase of drugs, or other health reasons. The. Insomnia During Covid-19 Outbreak in Italy lockdown was gradually released on 4th of May 2020. Insomnia During Covid-19 Outbreak in Italy lockdown was gradually released on 4th of May 2020 This represented one of the largest and most severe clusters of Covid infections worldwide
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