Is disturbed sleep predictive for later “burnout” - a 20 year perspective

Abstract

The aim was to examine if sleeping difficulties in year 1983 predicted “burnout” in year 2003.

Methods

In 1983: 1.687 subjects, aged 30–44 years, answered a sleep questionnaire (USI).

In 2003: In a follow-up, 1.192 subjects, aged 50–64 years, answered the same sleep questionnaire. Subjects were asked about difficulties initiating sleep (DIS) and difficulties maintaining sleep (DMS), and not being rested by sleep (NRS). The questions were answered on a five-point scale

(1 = no problems,

2 = minor problems,

3 = moderate problems,

4 = severe problems,

5 = very severe problems).

At least severe problems (scores 4 and 5) were considered to be a complaint. Insomnia was defined as having at least one complaint. In year 2003 questions about health included a statement about being “burnout”.

Results

In year 2003 “burnout” was reported by 7,3% of women, and in 3,9% in men.

In a logistic regression we examined the risk for “burnout” in relation to DIS, DMS and NRS at baseline. For women DMS (OR 2,8 CI 1,1-8,0) and NRS (OR 3,3 CI 1,2-9.3) were significant. DIS which was the only significant association for men (OR 7,3 CI 2,0-25,3).

Conclusion

Sleep complaints are predictive for a “burnout”-condition later in life.