Insomnia among hospitalized elderly patients: prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors

Insomnia can determine an increase in falls and accidents, hospitalization and nursing home placement. The aims of our study are to evaluate prevalence, clinical characteristics and predictors of sleep disorders in elderly inpatients admitted to a Geriatric Acute Care Ward. This longitudinal observational study consecutively recruited patients aged 65 and older admitted to a Geriatric Acute Care Unit between January the 1st 2007 and June 31st 2007. During the 3rd day of length of stay (LOS), patients were asked if they suffered with sleep disorders. Patients reporting sleep disturbances during the first 3 days of LOS were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for insomnia, comorbidity, self-rated health, functional status, cognitive impairment and pain. Of the 280 subjects investigated, 80 referred sleep disorders during LOS with a prevalence of 36.7%. Patients with sleep problems scored significantly worse on the cumulative index rating scale (CIRS) severity index (p=0.007), on the numeric rating scale (NRS) (p=0.01) and on the activities of daily living (ADL) scale (p<0.001). The CIRS severity index resulted the best predictor for insomnia related to hospitalization (OR 7.9, SE 0.85, p=0.01). The knowledge of insomnia predictors might help in planning preventive strategies to improve patients' global health status and quality of life.