Insomnia is a commonly experienced sleeping disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and then being unable to fall back asleep and is considered one of the most prevalent sleep complaints among the general population (Roth, 2007). Insomnia can significantly reduce energy while also impacting mood. The persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep affects daily life and harms overall health, work productivity, and quality of life.
Daily actions may interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. Irregular sleeping patterns may not necessarily affect a person’s capacity to perform tasks and responsibilities. However, insomnia causes persistent sleep difficulties, impairing the ability to function well in the daytime. If you are encountering challenges with insomnia that significantly disrupt your daily activities, it is crucial to seek support from your general practitioner or local healthcare provider.
According to several research studies, it has been consistently observed that individuals in Western countries experience a higher prevalence of insomnia and other sleep disorders compared to those in Arabian and Asian countries. For instance, around a third of the population in the USA suffer from insomnia, and approximately 37.2% of the population in France and Italy also suffer from this sleep disorder (Leger &Poursain,2005). Similarly, half of the population in Poland suffers from insomnia according to a 2016 study by Nowicki and Colleagues.
In contrast, numerous research studies conducted in countries across Arab and Asia have revealed that the reported cases of insomnia are less than 20%. For example, a study conducted by Khaled and colleagues in Qatar showed that approximately 5.5% of participants screened positive for insomnia. Furthermore, in the same study, the 30-day prevalence of individuals meeting all the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder -5 criteria for insomnia disorder was determined to be 3.0%. By the same token, in Turkey, it has been reported that less than 16% of the adult population experiences insomnia symptoms (Demir et al;2015). Similarly, in a meta-analysis carried out by Cao and colleagues in 2017, it was discovered that the percentage of individuals suffering from insomnia in China was reported to be 15%. Finally, the prevalence of insomnia in Japan is 6.6%(Leger&Poursain,2005).
The variation in the prevalence of insomnia between different regions can be linked to a multitude of factors such as lifestyle disparities, traditional practices, differences in the definition and assessment tool of insomnia and gaps in the research.
The presence of tightly woven family support systems, characterised by strong bonds and emotional connections in the Arabian and Asian countries plays a pivotal role in mitigating the daily stress experienced by an individual. The support network significantly contributes to the overall mental well-being of people living in these regions, potentially leading to lower levels of stress and reduced occurrences of insomnia. For example, a study by Sani and colleagues in 2012 acknowledges the significant influence that family relationships have on health and well-being.
Furthermore, traditional beliefs and practices like meditation and yoga are popular practices in Asia, helping to teach the importance of sleep to maintain good health and balance within the body. For example, a systematic review and Meta-analysis conducted by Wang and colleagues in 2016 showed that practising yoga helped women with sleep issues than not doing any physical activity.
In addition, the prevalence of insomnia can vary based on how insomnia is defined and the tools used to assess it. For example, a review conducted by Ohayon in 2002 reported prevalence estimates of insomnia ranging from 6% to 33%, depending on the definition used.
Finally, insomnia is a complex disorder characterised by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. It has a considerable impact on an individual’s overall well-being and quality of life. Henceforth, there is a significant need for further comprehensive research to better understand the underlying causes, risk factors, and effective treatment options for insomnia. There are notable gaps in the epidemiological, and clinical research studies despite its potential to affect large proportions of populations and debilitating nature (Strambi et al.,2021). Research plays a critical role in developing comprehensive strategies to alleviate the widespread impact of insomnia within various populations , and is essential for significantly improving the quality of sleep for individuals in the future.
References :
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© 2024 Dr Mukta Bhattarai Pandey (MD, PGDip Public Health, MRCP(UK), MRes)