Study on sociodemographic characteristics, sleep quality, and risk factors in population with primary insomnia

Objective: To explore sociodemographic characteristics, sleep quality, and mental health in patients with primary insomnia and investigate possible risk factors for primary insomnia. Methods: A case-control study was employed. A total of 602 patients with primary insomnia and 242 healthy controls with matched age and sex were surveyed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and their habits and life style were compared. Results: The differences in education, marital status, housing conditions, income, life and sleeping habits, family relationship, somatic discomfort, and mental health between patients with primary insomnia and healthy controls were statistically significant (P<0.05). Item scores and the total score of PSQI were higher in the patients with primary insomnia as compared with the controls and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Female patients showed a longer sleep latency, poorer sleep efficiency, much easier to use sleeping medications as compared with male patients (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that alcohol consumption, somatic discomfort, work overtime or night shift, divorced or widowed, individual annual income (>50 000-100 000), and mental health (anxiety, depression) were risk factors for primary insomnia. Conclusion: Patients with primary insomnia is commonly associated with somatic discomfort and symptoms of anxiety or depression. Alcohol consumption, work overtime or night shift, divorced or widowed, and individual annual income (>50 000-100 000) may be possible risk factors for primary insomnia.