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Association of insomnia with quality of life, work productivity, and activity impairment

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the association of insomnia with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), work productivity, and activity impairment.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2005 US National Health and Wellness Survey. Subjects were assigned to the insomnia group (diagnosed insomnia experienced at least a few times a month) or the noninsomnia group (no insomnia or sleep symptoms). HRQOL was assessed using the short form 8 (SF-8) (mental and physical scores). The work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire (WPAI) assessed absenteeism (work time missed), presenteeism (impairment at work), work productivity loss (overall work impairment), and activity impairment. Linear regression models were used to control for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 19,711 adults were evaluated (5,161 insomnia, 14,550 noninsomnia). Subjects in the insomnia group had significantly lower SF-8 physical (−5.40) and mental (−4.39) scores and greater activity impairment scores (+18.04) than subjects in the noninsomnia group (P < 0.01 for all). Employed subjects in the insomnia group had greater absenteeism (+6.27), presenteeism (+13.20), and work productivity loss (+10.33) scores than those in the noninsomnia group (P < 0.01 for all).

Conclusions

Insomnia is significantly associated with poorer physical and mental quality of life and work productivity loss and activity impairment.

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Acknowledgements

The National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) is conducted and wholly owned by Consumer Health Sciences, Princeton, NJ. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., Deerfield, IL licensed access to NHWS and funded the analysis for and preparation of this paper. Assistance with manuscript preparation was provided by Sara Sarkey, PhD, an employee of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consumer Health Sciences, 1 Independence Way., Suite 220, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA

    Susan C. Bolge & Hema Kannan

  2. Takeda Global Research and Development Center, Deerfield, IL, USA

    Justin F. Doan & Robert W. Baran

Authors
  1. Susan C. Bolge
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  2. Justin F. Doan
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  3. Hema Kannan
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  4. Robert W. Baran
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Correspondence to Susan C. Bolge.

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Bolge, S.C., Doan, J.F., Kannan, H. et al. Association of insomnia with quality of life, work productivity, and activity impairment. Qual Life Res 18, 415–422 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9462-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9462-6

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