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Ezekekwu E, Johnson C, Karimi S, Antimisiaris D, Lorenz D. Examining the relationship between long working hours and the use of prescription sedatives among U.S. workers. Sleep Med 2023; 109:226-239. [PMID: 37478659 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The prevalence of long working hours has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in sleep disorders. Sedative-hypnotic agents (SHAs), have been reported as the second most commonly misused drug class in the U.S. The key objective of this study was to examine the relationship between working hours on the use of sleep aids and medications with sedative properties. METHODS The 2010-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data was utilized. SHAs and medications with sedative related properties (MSRPs) were identified. Furthermore, we employed different regression models ranging from multivariable linear regression, Tobit regression, Heckman regression, and multivariable logistic regression, to ensure consistency, robustness, and reliability of associations. RESULTS Overall, a sample of 81,518 observations of full-time workers was analyzed. Working 56hours or more per week was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with an increased odds of using SHAs and MSRPs by 13% (Adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR =1.13, 95% Confidence Interval, CI=1.01:1.26) and 9% (aOR=1.09, 95% CI=1.03:1.16), respectively more than that among those who worked fewer hours. Females in our study had a higher likelihood (aOR=1.11, 95% CI=1.05:1.19) of using SHAs when compared to males. Also, professional services had the highest likelihood (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.14:1.50) of using SHAs. CONCLUSION We found that long working hours were significantly associated with an elevated use of SHAs and MSRPs among U.S. workers. Specifically, female workers and individuals working in professional services had the highest likelihood of using sleep medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Ezekekwu
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Christopher Johnson
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Seyed Karimi
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Demetra Antimisiaris
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Doug Lorenz
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, 485 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
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Warth J, Puth MT, Tillmann J, Porz J, Zier U, Weckbecker K, Münster E. Over-indebtedness and its association with sleep and sleep medication use. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:957. [PMID: 31315596 PMCID: PMC6637586 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7231-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over-indebtedness is currently rising in high-income countries. Millions of citizens are confronted with the persistent situation when household income and assets are insufficient to cover payment obligations and living expenses. Previous research shows that over-indebtedness increases the risk of various adverse health effects. However, its association with sleep problems has not yet been examined. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between over-indebtedness and sleep problems and sleep medication use. METHODS A cross-sectional study on over-indebtedness (OID survey) was conducted in 70 debt advisory centres in Germany in 2017 that included 699 over-indebted respondents. The survey data were combined with the nationally representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1; n = 7987). We limited analyses to participants with complete data on all sleep variables (OID: n = 538, DEGS1: n = 7447). Descriptive analyses and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between over-indebtedness and difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, and sleep medication use. RESULTS A higher prevalence of sleep problems and sleep medication use was observed among over-indebted individuals compared to the general population. After adjustment for socio-economic and health factors (age, sex, education, marital status, employment status, subjective health status and mental illness), over-indebtedness significantly increased the risk of difficulties with sleep onset (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, 95%-confidence interval (CI) 1.45-2.21), sleep maintenance (aOR 1.45, 95%-CI 1.17-1.80) and sleep medication use (aOR 3.94, 95%-CI 2.96-5.24). CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests a strong association between over-indebtedness and poor sleep and sleep medication use independent of conventional socioeconomic measures. Considering over-indebtedness in both research and health care practice will help to advance the understanding of sleep disparities, and facilitate interventions for those at risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013100 (OID survey, ArSemü); Date of registration: 23.10.2017; Date of enrolment of the first participant: 18.07.2017, retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Warth
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Marie-Therese Puth
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE), University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Judith Tillmann
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Porz
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Zier
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Klaus Weckbecker
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva Münster
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany
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Harris D, McNicoll L, Epstein-Lubow G, Thomas KS. Association between anxious symptoms and sleeping medication use among US older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2018; 33:e307-e313. [PMID: 28960462 PMCID: PMC5773373 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and sleeping medication use among a nationally representative sample of US older adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional design using data from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study to examine the relationship between anxiety symptoms as rated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 and self-reported sleeping medication use. Survey weights were applied to account for complex survey design. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between anxiety symptoms and sleeping medication use after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, physical health, and other sleep-related issues. RESULTS In 2011, 13.1% of respondents experienced high anxiety symptoms and 29.0% reported taking a sleeping medication at least once a week during the last 30 days. Results estimate that approximately 4 million US older adults have clinically significant anxiety symptoms and approximately 10 million US older adults used a sleeping medication in the last 30 days. Adjusted results revealed that high anxiety symptoms are significantly associated with sleeping medication use compared to low anxiety symptoms (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.29-1.91). Depression symptoms were also associated with sleeping medication (AOR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08-1.55). CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated that anxiety symptoms are significantly associated with sleeping medication use among US older adults. We also found that depressive symptoms, chronic conditions, and worse self-rated health are associated with sleeping medication use. As sleeping medications are associated with adverse health events, these results have clinical implications for treating anxiety symptoms among older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Harris
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lynn McNicoll
- Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Gary Epstein-Lubow
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kali S Thomas
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
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Andenæs R, Helseth S, Misvær N, Småstuen MC, Ribu L. Psychosocial factors are strongly associated with insomnia in users and nonusers of prescribed sleep medication: evidence from the HUNT3 study. J Multidiscip Healthc 2016; 9:547-555. [PMID: 27799781 PMCID: PMC5077243 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s116462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to examine how neuroticism, stressful life events, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and selected lifestyle factors were related to insomnia both by sex and among users and nonusers of prescribed sleep medication (PSM). Design Cross-sectional data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3, 2006–2008), a population-based health survey, were linked to individual data from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Methods Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between the selected variables and insomnia in both males and females and among subjects using and not using PSM. Individuals were considered to have a presumptive diagnosis of insomnia disorder if they reported difficulty with sleep initiation, sleep maintenance, or early morning awakening several days per week for the last 3 months. PSMs were categorized as anxiolytics or hypnotics; the dose was estimated according to defined daily dose (DDD). Results Of the total 50,805 participants, 6,701 (13.2%) used PSM. The proportions of PSM users were larger among elderly participants. Increased risk of insomnia was strongly associated with poor self-rated health and higher level of neuroticism. These associations were evident for both sexes and were similar among both users and nonusers of PSM. Low satisfaction with life was strongly related to insomnia, but only among nonusers of PSM. Increased doses of PSM were not associated with reduced likelihood of insomnia. Conclusion Insomnia is a problem among both users and nonusers of PSM and is associated with psychosocial factors. Our findings suggest that successful treatment for sleep problems should take individual variation into account, such as age, sex, personality traits, satisfaction with life, and health perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi Andenæs
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sølvi Helseth
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Misvær
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Milada C Småstuen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lis Ribu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Leggett A, Pepin R, Sonnega A, Assari S. Predictors of New Onset Sleep Medication and Treatment Utilization Among Older Adults in the United States. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2016; 71:954-60. [PMID: 26755681 PMCID: PMC4906325 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances are common among older adults resulting in frequent sleep medication utilization, though these drugs are associated with a number of risks. We examine rates and predictors of new prescription sleep medications and sleep treatments, as well as sleep treatments without a doctor's recommendation. METHODS Participants were 8,417 adults aged 50 and older from two waves of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) who were not using a sleep medication or treatment at baseline (2006). Logistic regression analyses are run with sociodemographic, health, and mental health factors as predictors of three outcomes: new prescription medication use, sleep treatment use, and sleep treatment out of a doctor's recommendation in 2010. RESULTS New sleep medication prescriptions were started by 7.68%, 12.62% started using a new sleep treatment, and 31.93% were using the treatment outside of their doctor's recommendation. Common predictors included greater severity of insomnia, worsening insomnia, older age, and use of psychiatric medications. New prescription medication use was also associated with poorer mental and physical health, whereas new sleep treatment was associated with being White, higher educated, and drinking less alcohol. CONCLUSIONS Starting a new prescription sleep medication may reflect poorer health and higher health care utilization, whereas beginning a sleep treatment may reflect an individual's awareness of treatments and determination to treat their problem. Clinicians should be aware of predictors of new sleep medication and treatment users and discuss various forms of treatment or behavioral changes to help patients best manage sleep disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Leggett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
| | - Renee Pepin
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Amanda Sonnega
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Ethnicity, Culture, and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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