Study examines insomnia prevalence and use of sleep aids among adults in Canada

Population estimates have suggested that about 20% of Canadian adults experience insomnia symptoms and 10% meet the criteria for an insomnia disorder. Due to the adverse health consequences associated with insomnia and long-term use of hypnotics, it is important to document the prevalence of insomnia, and estimate the extent to which different sleep aids and complementary and alternative therapies are used in the adult population.To address this issue, Canadian researchers conducted a study to estimate the prevalence of insomnia and the use of sleep aids among Canadian adults. Data were obtained via a 15-minute phone interview conducted over a seven-month period in 2023. The study population included 4,037 adults (57.6% female; mean age 50.6 years) selected from a random stratified (biological sex, age, ethnicity, province) nationally representative, population-based sample of adults living in Canada. Post-stratified survey weights were included in the analysis to ensure the representativity of the adult Canadian population.Results showed the following:Of the total sample population, 24.6% were dissatisfied with their sleep, 22.7% reported at least one nocturnal symptom (initial, middle, late insomnia), 20.0% reported significant daytime impairments or distress, 17.1% experienced insomnia symptoms at least three nights per week, and insomnia lasted more than three months for 16.3% of the sample.The prevalence estimate of insomnia disorder was 16.3% (95 % CI 15.1–17.6), with higher rates in females (risk ratio [RR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.06–1.45), Indigenous peoples (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.27–2.47), and individuals with poorer mental or physical health. Overall, in the previous 12 months, 14.7% of respondents reported having used prescribed sleep medications, 28.7% used natural products or over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, 15.6% used cannabis-derived products and 9.7% used alcohol for sleep. Higher proportions of females used prescribed medication (RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.31–2.43) and natural products or OTC medication (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.16–1.71), while more males used cannabis (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03–1.72) and alcohol (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16–2.33) for sleep. Higher proportions of older adults (≥ 65 years) were taking prescribed medications, while more young adults (18–35 years) used natural products or OTC medications, cannabis and alcohol as sleep aids.The authors conclude that insomnia is highly prevalent in Canada, with higher rates seen in females, Indigenous peoples, and individuals with self-reported poorer physical or mental health. In addition, there is widespread use of various medications and substances to cope with insomnia. The investigators comment that the two main interventions for insomnia are cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I] and pharmacotherapy, including OTC medications and prescription hypnotic drugs. Although CBT-I is recommended as the first-line treatment for insomnia in adults, access to this therapy is often limited, resulting in pharmacotherapy as the most frequently used treatment in clinical practice. The authors believe that their study findings highlight the importance of promoting good sleep health and informing patients and healthcare providers about evidence-based treatments for insomnia. Large public health campaigns about the importance of sleep are needed, along with more targeted efforts to disseminate evidence-based first-line treatments for insomnia, such as CBT-I. Healthcare practitioners should be encouraged to routinely assess patients for insomnia and manage it according to evidence-based clinical guidelines. Reference:Morin CM, V´ezina-Im LA, Chen SJ, et al; Canadian Sleep Research Consortium. Prevalence of insomnia and use of sleep aids among adults in Canada. Sleep Medicine 2024:124:338-45. (accessed October 10, 2024).

Study examines insomnia prevalence and use of sleep aids among adults in Canada

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics