Prevalence of sleep disorders in the Los Angeles metropolitan area

TLDR

The study surveyed 1,006 representative households in the Los Angeles metropolitan area to estimate sleep disorder prevalence. Overall, 52.1% of adults reported current or prior sleep disorders, with insomnia at 42.5%, nightmares 11.2%, excessive sleep 7.1%, sleeptalking 5.3%, and sleepwalking 2.5%; these conditions were often chronic, began early, and insomnia was more common in older women and lower socioeconomic status, correlating with greater physical and mental health problems.

Abstract

The authors determined the prevalence of sleep disorders in a general population through a survey of 1,006 representative households in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. They found an overall prevalence of current or previous sleep disorders in adults of 52.1%. Specifically, they found a 42.5% prevalence of insomnia, 11.2% of nightmares, 7.1% of excessive sleep, 5.3% of sleeptalking, and 2.5% of sleepwalking. These conditions were often chronic and usually started early in life. Insomnia was more frequent in older people, particularly older women, and in people of lower educational socioeconomic status. Insomnia, nightmares, and hypersomnia were correlated with more frequent general physical and mental health problems.