Gender Difference in the Prevalence of Insomnia: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

TLDR

Insomnia is a major health challenge, yet gender differences in its prevalence remain unclear. The study aims to assess gender differences in insomnia prevalence in the general population. The authors performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, selected studies reporting gender‑specific insomnia prevalence per international criteria, and pooled results using a random‑effects model. Across 13 studies, insomnia prevalence was 22.0%, with females showing a significantly higher rate (OR = 1.58); subgroup and meta‑regression analyses linked larger gender gaps to case‑control designs, consecutive sampling, higher female proportions, and better study quality, underscoring the need for targeted screening and interventions for women.

Abstract

Objective: Insomnia is a major health challenge in the general population, but the results of the gender differences in the epidemiology of insomnia have been mixed. This is a meta-analysis to examine the gender difference in the prevalence of insomnia among the general population. Methods: Two reviewers independently searched relevant publications in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science from their inception to 16 April 2019. Studies that reported the gender-based prevalence of insomnia according to the international diagnostic criteria were included for analyses using the random-effects model. Results: Eventually 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in the general population was 22.0% [ n = 22,980, 95% confidence interval (CI): 17.0–28.0%], and females had a significantly higher prevalence of insomnia compared with males (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.85, Z = 5.63, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that greater gender difference was associated with the use of case-control study design and consecutive sampling method. Meta-regression analyses also revealed that higher proportion of females and better study quality were significantly associated with greater gender difference. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found that the prevalence of insomnia in females was significantly higher than males in the included studies. Due to the negative effects of insomnia on health, regular screening, and effective interventions should be implemented in the general population particularly for females.