Sleep Disorders in the adult population of Santiago of Chile and its association with common psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Introduction. Sleep disorders are a frequent problem and they are a usual reason of primary care consultation, because they are associated to significant deterioration in quality of life. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder whose estimated total prevalence in adults is 19.1%, 85% of which are chronic insomnia. This, in turn, is closely related to psychiatric disorders and has been described as a depressive episode marker.

Aims. To characterize the Santiago adult population suffering from sleep disorders and analyze their statistical association with common mental disorders.

Methodology. It corresponds to a secondary analysis of the survey “Common Mental Disorders in Santiago.” A crosssectional survey that used the adult population of Santiago whose ages ranged from 16 to 64 years as a sample was carried out. A structured interview covering sociodemographic factors and the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) to measure emotional symptoms were applied.

Results. 3867 people representative of the adult population were evaluated (52.3% women, 47.7% men). The prevalence of sleep disorders was 26.3%. Statistically significant socio-demographic risk factors were detected, these being female gender, the unemployed seeking employment, the presence of a common mental disorder, alcohol and drugs consumption in the last month, among others.

Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of sleep disorders among the population of Santiago. This is closely associated to female gender, social disadvantages and potently to the presence of a common mental disorder.