Self-reported sleep complaints are associated with adverse health outcomes: cross-sectional analysis of the 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported sleep complaints in New Zealand adults and determine the independent association of sleep complaints with adverse health outcomes.Design: We used 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey data (n = 12,500 adults, ≥15 years). The prevalence of self-reported sleep complaints was estimated by ethnicity. The relationship between sleep complaints and mental health, physical health and health risk behaviors were investigated using multivariable logistic regression models.Results: The prevalence of each sleep complaint measure was highest for the indigenous Māori population (23.6% reported ‘any’ sleep complaint; 10.3% reported multiple sleep complaints). Reporting ‘any’ sleep complaint was associated with higher odds of poorer mental health, diagnosed high blood pressure, diagnosed diabetes, diagnosed heart disease, poor/fair self-rated health, obesity, current smoking, and hazardous drinking.Conclusion: The higher prevalence of sleep complain...