0318 INTERNATIONAL VARIABILITY IN THE PREVALENCE OF INSOMNIA AND USE OF SLEEP-PROMOTING MEDICATIONS, SUPPLEMENTS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES (2024)

Introduction:

Few studies have compared insomnia prevalence across multiple countries using standardized measures. Further, it is likely that medications/supplements/substances used to treat insomnia varies across countries.

Methods:

An international web-based survey was conducted across 10 countries (United States, France, Japan, China, Brazil, South Korea, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, and Netherlands), with 7,817 respondents (3,723 men; 25% of respondents aged 30–39years). History of insomnia was assessed, as was prevalence of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, alcohol, and other beverages. Regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, shiftwork, other sleep disorders, and presence of other relevant medical conditions.

Results:

Prevalence of insomnia was 5.4% (Netherlands), 10.0% (Japan), 10.5% (Australia), 11.0% (UK), 13.4% (US), 14.6% (Germany), 21.7% (France), 23.5% (South Korea), 24.0% (China), and 30.5% (Brazil). Compared to the US, increased prevalence was seen in France (RR=2.01,p<0.0001), China (RR=1.77,p<0.0001), Brazil (RR=2.74,p<0.0001), and South Korea (RR=1.92,p<0.0001) and less in the Netherlands (RR=0.43,p<0.0001). Compared to the US, use of prescription medication was less common in Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. Use of over-the-counter medications and supplements was less common in all countries. Use of alcohol for insomnia was more common in Japan and less common in France, China, Brazil, and Germany. Use of other sleep-promoting beverages was less common in Japan, Brazil, South Korea, and the Netherlands, and more common in the UK.

Conclusion:

There was wide international variation in prevalence of insomnia, as well as in methods for handling sleep difficulty. Use of over-the-counter medications and supplements was consistently more common in the US. There was heterogeneity for other substances, though US were generally more likely to use medications, alcohol, and other beverages. Understanding geographic variation in insomnia and use of sleep medications is vitally important, as this knowledge can guide appropriate country-based public health interventions to target sleep disorders.

Support (If Any):

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