Burden of Chronic Sleep Maintenance Insomnia Characterized by Nighttime Awakenings

The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic and humanistic burden of chronic sleep maintenance insomnia characterized by nighttime awakenings (CINA). A database analysis of National Health and Wellness Survey, an annual cross-sectional study of health status and outcomes of US adults, was performed. CINA was defined as experiencing nighttime awakenings at least twice per week for more than 1 month that have moderate to severe impact on daily life and not experiencing difficulty falling asleep. No insomnia was defined as not self-reporting insomnia, sleep difficulties, or sleep symptoms. Outcomes included resource utilization in the past 6 months, the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and the SF-8. Linear regression models were developed to assess the independent effects of CINA on outcomes while controlling for demographics and comorbidity. In all, 1523 respondents met the criteria for CINA and 24,106 met the criteria for no insomnia. Controlling for demographics and comorbidity, CINA sufferers had greater resource utilization (0.1 [P< 0.001] more emergency room visits, 0.2 [P 0.001] more days hospitalized, and 2.5 [P< 0.001] more provider visits), 22.4 % (P< 0.001) greater activity impairment, and SF-8 physical and mental summary scores that were 6.2 (P< 0.001) and 6.8 (P< 0.001) points lower than those with no insomnia, respectively. Among those employed full time, CINA sufferers had greater work productivity impairment (4.0 % due to absenteeism, 17.6 % due to presenteeism, and 15.6 % greater overall productivity impairment) than those with no insomnia (P< 0.001 for all). CINA in relative isolation was associated with a significant negative impact on health care utilization and its associated costs, health-related quality of life, and work productivity. (Population Health Management 2010;13:15–20