MONDAY, Jan. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Insomnia has a substantial economic impact in both direct and indirect costs, according to the results of a study in Quebec, Canada. The findings are published in the January issue of Sleep.
Meaghan Daley, Ph.D., of the Centre de Recherche Universite Laval-Robert Giffard in Quebec, Canada, and colleagues analyzed data from a survey of 948 adults from the province of Quebec. Participants reported on their health and use of health care services, sleep, work absences and other relevant factors. The participants were classified as having insomnia syndrome or insomnia symptoms, or being good sleepers.
The researchers report that the annual cost of insomnia in Quebec is estimated to be nearly $6.6 billion (Canadian). Insomnia-related costs per person each year are $5,010 for those with insomnia syndrome, $1,431 for those with insomnia symptoms, and $422 for good sleepers, the investigators found. Lost productivity accounts for most of the costs, at an estimated $5 billion. Other costs include health care consultations ($191.2 million) and alcohol used as a sleep aid ($339.8 million), the report indicates.
"Despite its high prevalence and economic burden, insomnia remains for the most part untreated. The present study indicates that the costs of untreated insomnia are significantly greater than the direct costs associated with its treatment. Increased awareness of the availability and effectiveness of insomnia treatments, both on the part of the public as well as health care providers, could lead to significant reductions in the overall cost of this sleep disorder to society," the authors conclude.
Several of the study authors report financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies.
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