STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study.
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted at the Outpatient Family Medicine Clinics at Aga Khan University Hospital between February 2013 and June 2013.
METHODOLOGY: Patients 60 years old and above were recruited (n=152) through non- probability consecutive sampling. Information was collected on a pretested structured questionnaire on demographics, insomnia symptoms, medical co-morbidities, lifestyle factors and sleep disorders. Data was analyzed on SPSS 19. Proportions and the Chi-Square test were used in the analyses, along with binary logistic regression.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 65.68 years, and 38.80% of the participants were male and 61.20% were female. The prevalence of insomnia was 42.1%. It was more common in women than in men (64.10% vs. 35.9%). Increasing age [ORadj: 4.54; 95%CI: 1.85-11.17], being divorced/widowed [ORadj: 10.26; 95%CI: 2.79-37.73] and having an average household income of over Rs.50, 000, were significantly related to insomnia. The other factors associated with insomnia were Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease [ORadj: 4.30; 95% CI: 1.67-11.04], depression [ORadj: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.13-7.33], caffeine consumption [ORadj: 6.50; 95% CI: 2.27-18.57], and cigarette smoking close to bed time [ORadj: 4.78; 95% CI: 0.88-25.90].
CONCLUSION: The study showed that older adults with multiple diseases were at high risk of insomnia. Certain life style practices enhanced the risk; hence, physicians should incorporate sleep history and tailor treatment to target both insomnia and related factors to optimize quality of life.