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Sleep Breath 2000; 04(1): 0009-0014
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11530
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Symptom-Based Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in an Adult Primary Care Population

Clete A. Kushida1 , Deborah A. Nichols1 , Richard D. Simon2 , Terry Young3 , John H. Grauke4 , J. B. Britzmann4 , Pamela R. Hyde1 , William C. Dement1
  • 1Stanford University Center of Excellence for Sleep Disorders, California
  • 2Kathryn Severyns Dement Sleep Disorders Center, Saint Mary's Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington
  • 3University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
  • 4Moscow Clinic, Moscow, Idaho
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The prevalence of sleep disorders in a primary care physician practice in Moscow, Idaho, was studied between February 7, 1997, and February 6, 1998. This primary care clinic visit population was surveyed for this 1-year period. Every patient above the age of 18 years who visited the Moscow Clinic in this time period was either approached by our on-site researcher during the patient's clinic visit or contacted via mail. Out of a total of 1249 adult patients who met with our on-site researcher during their clinic visit, 962 (77.0%) completed questionnaires and were interviewed for symptoms of sleep disorders. An additional 292 patients completed mailed questionnaires, resulting in a total of 1254 participants in the study. The percentages of patients in our sample reporting symptoms of the following sleep disorders were insomnia (32.3%), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (23.6%), and restless legs syndrome (29.3%). This study demonstrates the need for heightened awareness and subsequent diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in the primary care population.

KEYWORD

primary care - prevalence - sleep apnea - restless legs syndrome - insomnia - clinical sleep medicine