TY - JOUR
T1 - An international survey of sleeping problems in the general population
AU - Léger, D.
AU - Poursain, B.
AU - Neubauer, D.
AU - Uchiyama, M.
PY - 2008/1
Y1 - 2008/1
N2 - Objective: This international omnibus survey investigated the prevalence and characteristics of sleep problems, as well as strategies for resolving sleep problems, in the general population of the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan. Research design and methods: A representative sample of the general population aged ≥ 15 years was recruited from each country. Questions focused on the nature of sleeping problems, the impact of problems on daily functioning and behavior with regard to resolving sleeping problems. Results: A total of 10 132 individuals were included in this survey. The prevalence of sleeping problems was 56% in the USA, 31% in Western Europe and 23% in Japan. Most individuals with sleeping problems considered these to have an impact on their daily functioning, with family life most affected in the Western European sample, personal activities in the US sample and professional activities in the Japanese sample. Almost half of individuals with sleep problems had never taken any steps to resolving them, and the majority of respondents had not spoken with a physician about their problems. Of those individuals who had consulted a physician, drug prescriptions had been given to approximately 50% in Western Europe and the USA and 90% in Japan. Conclusions: Sleeping problems continue to present a considerable burden across Western Europe, the USA and Japan. Despite this, they are under-reported and under-treated, with almost half of affected individuals not taking any steps to resolve their sleeping problems.
AB - Objective: This international omnibus survey investigated the prevalence and characteristics of sleep problems, as well as strategies for resolving sleep problems, in the general population of the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan. Research design and methods: A representative sample of the general population aged ≥ 15 years was recruited from each country. Questions focused on the nature of sleeping problems, the impact of problems on daily functioning and behavior with regard to resolving sleeping problems. Results: A total of 10 132 individuals were included in this survey. The prevalence of sleeping problems was 56% in the USA, 31% in Western Europe and 23% in Japan. Most individuals with sleeping problems considered these to have an impact on their daily functioning, with family life most affected in the Western European sample, personal activities in the US sample and professional activities in the Japanese sample. Almost half of individuals with sleep problems had never taken any steps to resolving them, and the majority of respondents had not spoken with a physician about their problems. Of those individuals who had consulted a physician, drug prescriptions had been given to approximately 50% in Western Europe and the USA and 90% in Japan. Conclusions: Sleeping problems continue to present a considerable burden across Western Europe, the USA and Japan. Despite this, they are under-reported and under-treated, with almost half of affected individuals not taking any steps to resolve their sleeping problems.
KW - Multinational
KW - Prevalence
KW - Sleep disorders
KW - Survey
KW - Treatment
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U2 - 10.1185/030079907X253771
DO - 10.1185/030079907X253771
M3 - Article
C2 - 18070379
AN - SCOPUS:38549133491
SN - 0300-7995
VL - 24
SP - 307
EP - 317
JO - Current Medical Research and Opinion
JF - Current Medical Research and Opinion
IS - 1
ER -