Insomnia and mortality: A meta-analysis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

84 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the strength of evidence for a relationship between risk of mortality and frequent and ongoing insomnia using a meta-analytic strategy. Seventeen studies, including a total of 36,938,981 individuals followed up for a mean of 11.6 y, reporting the investigation of the association between mortality and frequent (≥3 nights/wk), ongoing (≥1 mo) insomnia were identified. There was no difference in the odds of mortality for those individuals with symptoms of insomnia when compared to those without symptoms (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.61–1.84, p =.84). This finding was echoed in the assessment of the rate of mortality in those with and without symptoms of insomnia using the outcomes of multivariate models, with the most complete adjustment for potential confounders, as reported by the individual studies included in this meta-analysis (HR = 1.07, 95%CI =.96–.1.19, p =.22). Additional analyses revealed a tendency for an increased risk of mortality associated with hypnotic use. The current evidence reinforces the use of cognitive therapy, within a CBTi framework, as a frontline non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia to reassure patients their longevity will not be impacted as a consequence of suffering from insomnia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)71-83
Number of pages13
JournalSleep Medicine Reviews
Volume43
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019

Keywords

  • Death
  • Insomnia
  • Mortality
  • Sleep disturbance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Insomnia and mortality: A meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this