The authors determined the prevalence of sleep disorders in a general
population through a survey of 1,006 representative households in the Los
Angeles metropolitan area. They found an overall prevalence of current or
previous sleep disorders in adults of 52.1%. Specifically, they found a
42.5% prevalence of insomnia, 11.2% of nightmares, 7.1% of excessive sleep,
5.3% of sleeptalking, and 2.5% of sleepwalking. These conditions were often
chronic and usually started early in life. Insomnia was more frequent in
older people, particularly older women, and in people of lower educational
socioeconomic status. Insomnia, nightmares, and hypersomnia were correlated
with more frequent general physical and mental health problems.Abstract Teaser