BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 5. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26453-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the crucial distinction between insomnia symptoms and a diagnosed disorder, population-level studies based on contemporary criteria and clinical interviews are scarce. This study therefore examined the insomnia spectrum by assessing the prevalence, identifying subtypes, and exploring associations with sociodemographic factors and comorbid mental disorders for both conditions.
METHODS: This large-scale, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing from October to December 2021. A sample of 10,778 adults was recruited via multistage stratified random sampling. Trained psychiatrists conducted standardized diagnostic interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to collect data on insomnia disorder and mental disorders. Descriptive analysis and weighted Rao-Scott chi-square tests, were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 9.4).
RESULTS: The weighted prevalence rates were 17.7% for subjective sleep problems, 10.7% for clinically assessed insomnia symptoms, and 3.0% for DSM-5-diagnosed insomnia disorder. Among insomnia subtypes, initial insomnia was most prevalent, both as a symptom (8.1%) and a disorder (2.6%). Furthermore, insomnia disorder prevalence varied by sociodemographics, being higher in females, older adults (≥ 60 years), and those with lower education. Among individuals with insomnia disorder, 31.3% had comorbid other mental disorders, particularly alcohol-related disorders (13.4%). Conversely, insomnia disorder was observed in 14.4% of individuals with other mental disorders, with the highest prevalence in depressive (21.4%) and anxiety disorders (19.2%).
CONCLUSIONS: The marked disparity between prevalent insomnia symptoms and formal diagnoses, compounded by significant psychiatric comorbidity, mandates a public health shift toward population-level screening and early intervention. This imperative includes adopting standardized diagnostics and implementing integrated, transdiagnostic treatment models as a pivotal preventive strategy.
PMID:41639643 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26453-x
