Epidemiology of sleep and sleep disorders in The Netherlands

•Prevalence of short sleep is 30.4% and prevalence of insufficient sleep is 43.2%.•Insufficient sleep and absence of day-work are major predictors of sleep disorders.•Prevalence of general sleep disturbance (GSD) is 32.1% (F 34.8%; M 29.1%).•Female adolescents have the highest prevalence rates for GSD and daytime fatigue.•Sleep timing and sleep duration have U-shaped relationships with GSD prevalence.

ObjectiveThere is a surging public interest in The Netherlands concerning sleep, sleep disorders and associated health. For a proper perspective, it is necessary to have reliable information on the prevalence of sleep characteristics at the national level. This study set out to assess prevalence rates and key characteristics of sleep and sleep disorders in The Netherlands.MethodsIn 2012, a nationally representative sample of 2089 individuals, aged 18-70 years, responded to a set of 48 questions, including the Holland Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, a validated questionnaire based on the International Classification of Sleep Disorders.ResultsPrevalence rates were: 32.1% for a general sleep disturbance (GSD), 43.2% for insufficient sleep, 8.2 for insomnia, 5.3% for circadian rhythm sleep disorder, 6.1% for parasomnia, 5.9% for hypersomnolence, 12.5% for restless legs disorder and limb movements during sleep, 7.1% for sleep related breathing disorder, and 12.2% for the presence of comorbidity, ie, the presence of two or more concurrent sleep disorders. In addition, sleep onset time as well as sleep duration showed U-shaped relationships with GSD prevalence rates, with respectively the 22:00-24:00 period and seven to 8 h as optimal associates.ConclusionsSleep disorders and insufficient sleep have a high prevalence. As matter of concern, female adolescents reached the highest prevalence rates for most sleep disorders, insufficient sleep and daytime malfunctioning.

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