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. 2010;12(1):PCC.08r00743.
doi: 10.4088/PCC.08r00743bro.

Why treat insomnia?

Sara E Matteson-Rusby  1 , Wilfred R Pigeon, Philip Gehrman, Michael L Perlis
Affiliations

Why treat insomnia?

Sara E Matteson-Rusby et al. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2010.

Abstract

Objective: To make the case that insomnia is better conceptualized, not as a symptom, but as a primary disorder.

Data sources: PubMed was searched from 1975-2009 using the search terms insomnia, insomnia and treatment, insomnia and cost, and insomnia and treatment and safety.

Study selection: English-language articles and other materials were selected to address the following claims: insomnia is unremitting, insomnia is disabling, insomnia is costly, insomnia is pervasive, insomnia is pernicious, and insomnia treatment is safe and effective.

Data extraction/synthesis: Insomnia, at least when chronic, should be conceptualized as a comorbid condition, one for which effective interventions are available.

Conclusions: It is speculated that treatment for insomnia will only become the norm when it has been demonstrated that treatment not only addresses the problem of insomnia but also serves to reduce medical and psychiatric morbidity. At that time, the question will no longer be "Why treat insomnia?" but instead "When isn't insomnia treatment indicated?"

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Insomnia Incidence and Severity Over Time (n = 28)a aBased on data from Mendelson.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Insomnia Incidence and Severity Over Time (n = 28)a aBased on data from Mendelson.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Insomnia Incidence and Severity Over Time (n = 28)a aBased on data from Mendelson.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sleep and Function aBased on data from Roth and Ancoli-Israel. bBased on data from Zammit et al.Abbreviation: SF-36 = Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sleep and Function aBased on data from Roth and Ancoli-Israel. bBased on data from Zammit et al.Abbreviation: SF-36 = Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The Economic Burden of Insomnia aBased on data from Walsh et al. Provider costs include outpatient physician visits, psychologist visits, social worker visits, sleep specialist visits, mental health organizations, and inpatient hospital care. bBased on data from Stoller MK.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The Economic Burden of Insomnia aBased on data from Walsh et al. Provider costs include outpatient physician visits, psychologist visits, social worker visits, sleep specialist visits, mental health organizations, and inpatient hospital care. bBased on data from Stoller MK.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Odds Ratios From Longitudinal Studies Showing the Elevated Risk for the Development or Presence of Depression When There Are Symptoms of Sleep Disturbance Consistent With Persistent Insomnia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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