Abstract

DIAZ, Ricardo  and  RUANO, Mario Iván. Prevalence and persistence of chronic insomnia SUECA II Study. Acta Med Colomb [online]. 2011, vol.36, n.3, pp.119-124. ISSN 0120-2448.

Introduction: insomnia, especially when it becomes chronic, it becomes a disease with marked implications for physical and mental health. Despite its importance, in our country there are few population studies on the epidemiological pattern. Previous studies in the Department of Caldas showed a high overall prevalence of insomnia with figures around 47%. Objective: To establish the frequency, demographic characteristics and persistence to two years of chronic insomnia in a population sample representative of the city of Manizales. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional household interviews in different socioeconomic levels in subjects over 18 years, complaining of insomnia in the previous study of sleep disorders in Caldas (2008) that included 530 people of which 228 were insomnia (acute or chronic), yielding an overall prevalence of 43.9%. For data analysis we used the statistical package EpiInfo 6.04 /. Results: The 2-year follow-up could be performed and of these 218 people remained in 175 insomnia, which indicated a prevalence of chronic insomnia of 33% and a persistence of the same of 80.2%. When only considered daytime consequences of the insomnia, the prevalence was 10.9%. In more than half of those insomnia had been present between five and ten years. Increasing age was the only factor associated to a higher frequency. Despite the persistence and severity of insomnia, only 18.3% had reported to the doctor. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of insomnia, chronic and daytime impact are found within the ranges reported in the literature and found a high persistence and duration of chronic insomnia. Above, and given its negative consequences on individuals and communities, warrants an active search for this condition in clinical practice and appropriate government measures for its prevention and management (Acta Med Colomb 2011; 36: 119-124).

Keywords : insomnia; prevalence of insomnia; chronic insomnia; sleep disorders.

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