The association of insomnia and quality of life: Sao Paulo epidemiologic sleep study (EPISONO)

Objectives: Sleep is essential for health and well-being and lack of sleep can have serious physiological consequences. This study aimed to evaluate sleep patterns and the influence of insomnia on quality of life. Design: The epidemiologic sleep study is a population-based study of sleep and risk factors for sleep disturbances. Setting and participants: This cross-sectional study recruited 574 men and 468 women aged 18 years or older randomly, to represent the population of Sao Paulo, according to gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Measurements: Data from polysomnography were used to assess sleep objectively and a validate questionnaire to assess quality of life. Validated questionnaires based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, assessed the perception of insomnia and categorized the sample as: without insomnia symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and insomnia syndrome. Anthropometric data, objective sleep parameters and quality of life were assessed and the sample was distributed according to age for both genders. Results: Participants in both insomnia groups presented a worse perception of quality of life compared to without insomnia symptoms group in both genders. Women had a lower percentage of participants without insomnia symptoms (33.3%), and a higher percentage of insomnia symptoms (48.6%), and insomnia syndrome (18.1%) than men (42.1%, 47.2%, and 10.7%, respectively). Conclusions: Women presented more insomnia complaints and had a lower perceived quality of life compared to men, especially at young ages. Men and women with insomnia symptoms or insomnia syndrome had a lower quality of life score. (C) 2020 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.