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Affiliation
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Department of Public Health, Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 172, PO Box 41, 00014, Helsinki, Finland, peija.haaramo@helsinki.fi. |
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: This study examined the associations of insomnia symptoms with subsequent psychotropic medication, reflecting mental health.
METHODS: Postal baseline surveys among 40- to 60-year-old employees of the city of Helsinki, Finland, were collected in 2000-2002 (N = 6,227, response rate 67 %, 78 % women) and longitudinally linked with national register data on prescribed reimbursed medication. Insomnia symptoms at baseline comprised difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, and non-restorative sleep. All purchased psychotropic medication 5-7 years prior to and 5 years after baseline was included. Outcomes were any psychotropic medication; antidepressants; and anxiolytics, hypnotics, and sedatives. Covariates included socio-demographic and work-related factors, health behaviors, lifetime mental disorders, and prior psychotropic medication. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS: Insomnia symptoms were associated with higher frequency of subsequent psychotropic medication prescriptions. The associations were strongest for frequent insomnia symptoms (women OR 3.55, 95 % CI 2.64-4.77; men OR 4.64, 95 % CI 2.49-8.66, adjusted for age and prior medication), but also rare and occasional symptoms were associated with psychotropic medication. Further adjustments had negligible effects.
CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia symptoms were associated with prescribed psychotropic medication during follow-up in a dose-response manner. Attention should be given to the prevention of insomnia symptoms to curb subsequent mental problems.
Language: en |