P: Sleep problems in primary care: a North Carolina Family Practice Research Network (NC-FP-RN) study

Background: The prevalence and nature of sleep disorders in primary care has not been widely studied. As part of a survey conducted in 5 family practice offices in North Carolina, we screened adult patients for sleep syndromes and sought to ascertain which demographic status and health status were associated with these disorders. Methods: We approached 2963 consecutive adults who presented for office visits to the 5 study practices. The 4-page study questionnaire, which was available in English and Spanish, included items on insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and restless legs syndrome. Analyses evalu-ated the relationship between sleep syndromes and demographic factors, health status, and disability. Results: We enrolled 1935 patients (65.3 % response rate). More than half reported excessive day-time sleepiness, one third had insomnia, more than 25 % had symptoms of restless legs syndrome, and 13 % to 33 % reported obstructive sleep apnea syndrome symptoms. Participants who rated their health as poor reported significantly higher rates of all sleep disturbance items. Patients with hypertension, pain syndromes, and depression had a significantly increased risk for all sleep complaints. Patients who reported limited activity had a significant risk of restless legs syndrome. Conclusion: Sleep complaints are highly prevalent in primary care populations. Patients with the highest risk for sleep disturbance are those with pain, mental illness, limited activity, and overall “poo