SLEEP PROBLEMS AND THEIR CORRELATES IN A WORKING POPULATION

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of sleep problems in a working po pulation and examine their association with health problems, health-re lated quality-of-life measures, work-related problems, and medical exp enditures. Also, to explore the usefulness of a sleep-problems screen for mental health conditions and underlying sleep disorders. DESIGN: C ross-sectional survey administered via voice mail and telephone interv iew. SETTING: A San Francisco Bay Area telecommunications firm. PARTIC IPANTS: Volunteer sample of 588 employees who worked for a minimum of six months at the company and were enrolled in its fee-for-service hea lth plan.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty percent of respondents reported currently experiencing sleep problems and were found to have worse functioning and well-being (general health, cognitive functionin g, energy), more work-related problems (decreased job performance and lower satisfaction, increased absenteeism), and a greater likelihood o f comorbid physical and mental health conditions than were the respond ents who did not have sleep problems. They also demonstrated a trend t oward higher medical expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: Self-perceived sleep p roblems were common among the respondents and were associated with poo rer health and health-related quality of life. A single question about sleep problems may serve as an effective screen for identifying prima ry care patients with mental health problems, as well as underlying sl eep disorders.