Clinical and demographic characteristics of insomnia in the adult population of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil

THESES

Clinical and demographic characteristics of insomnia in the adult population of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. (Abstract)^*. Thesis. São José do Rio Preto, 2004

Nely Silvia Aragão De Marchi^**

Our study has examined the prevalence of insomnia of the urban adult population (n=1,105) in São Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil, in the period from January 10 to February 28, 2001.

Using a structured questionnaire and DSM-IV and DSM III-R criteria, we found that the overall prevalence of insomnia was 32%. Among the acute cases, 46.8% presented initial insomnia, 31.9% intermediate, and 21.3% terminal. According to the chronic cases, 41% showed initial insomnia, 40% intermediate, and 19% terminal.

Insomnia was more associated with female sex, divorced and widows, the lowest income classes D/E, low educational degree, and less associated with younger age group (18-30 years old). Sleep-promoting medication was used by 48% of the insomniacs; only 17.5% of them visited a physician with the purpose to complain insomnia.

Our findings showed that the insomnia prevalence in the adult population of São Jose do Rio Preto may be compared with the population of North American and European countries as well as other Brazilian cities.

Key words: insomnia, epidemiology, prevalence.

*

Características clínicas e demográficas da insônia na população adulta urbana de São José do Rio Preto (Resumo). Tese de Doutorado. Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Área Medicina Interna). Orientador: Waldir Antonio Tognola; Co-Orientador: Rubens Reimão.

**

Address: Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 5416 15090-000 São José do Rio Preto SP, Brazil.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  23 June 2004
• Date of issue
  June 2004