OBJECTIVE:

Insomnia is frequently underrecognized in medical wards; therefore, we assessed the prevalence and explored medical and psychological variables associated with insomnia.

METHOD:

The Athens Insomnia Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were completed in 235 inpatients along with demographic data, admission diagnosis, lifetime psychiatric diagnosis and prescribed psychotropics.

RESULTS:

The overall insomnia prevalence was 37%. Logistic regression showed that HADS anxiety and depression cases and patients with infections were more likely to have insomnia (OR 24.2, 6.1 and 5.4, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with depressive and mainly anxiety symptoms are more likely to experience insomnia in medical wards. Patients with infections are also likely to have insomnia, independently of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and appropriate interventions should be applied.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.