Strong Prevalence of Insomnia Symptoms Among Female Veterans

More than 47 percent of female veterans reported symptoms of insomnia that resulted in functional impairment, demonstrates a new study. Of this sample group, less than one percent had a diagnosis of a sleep disorder based on medical records.

"Results from the analysis provide a clinical decision tree identifying subgroups of women with high and low risk for insomnia symptoms," said lead author Kimberly Babson, PhD, Research Health Science Specialist at the National Center for PTSD -- Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. "These results can be used by primary care clinicians to identify women that fit within these subgroups for referral, assessment and intervention of insomnia symptoms in order to decrease risk for the psychological, physical, and psycho-social consequences associated with insomnia."

Primary Insomnia Blamed to Reduced White Matter in the Brain
Primary insomnia leads to difficulty in sleeping, daytime fatigue, mood disruption and cognitive impairment.

‘Prevalence of insomnia symptoms were found in nearly 47 percent of female veterans, that resulted in functional impairment.’

Tweet it Now

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and will be presented Sunday, June 12, 2016 and Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in Denver at SLEEP 2016, the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).

Data for this study were drawn from a cross-sectional survey among a national, population-based stratified random sample of female veterans using Veterans Health Administration primary care facilities.

Source-Eurekalert

Genes May Play a Larger Role In The Development of Insomnia Symptoms For Women Than Men
Insomnia more likely to affect women than men due to genetic factors and this may be useful to target females for sleep interventions.

People With Insomnia, Sleep Related Problems Have Increased Sensitivity to Pain
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has proved to be effective individually among patients suffering from chronic pain and insomnia.

Insomnia Hampers Work Productivity, Safety of Night Shift Workers
Night shift workers classified as alert insomniacs had the highest level of impairment in work productivity and cognitive function.