Predicting insomnia in medical wards: the effect of anxiety, depression and admission diagnosis

Abstract 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.