Racial/Ethnic Differences in Insomnia Trajectories among U.S. Older Adults
Journal
American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Journal Volume
24
Journal Issue
7
Pages
575-584
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Kaufmann C.N.
Mojtabai R.
Hock R.S.
Thorpe R.J.
Jr.
Canham S.L.
Wennberg A.M.V.
Chen-Edinboro L.P.
Spira A.P.
Abstract
Objectives Insomnia is reported to be more prevalent in minority racial/ethnic groups. Little is known, however, about racial/ethnic differences in changes in insomnia severity over time, particularly among older adults. We examined racial/ethnic differences in trajectories of insomnia severity among middle-aged and older adults. Design Data were drawn from five waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2002-2010), a nationally representative longitudinal biennial survey of adults aged > 50 years. Setting Population-based. Participants 22,252 participants from non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and other racial/ethnic groups. Measurements Participants reported the severity of four insomnia symptoms; summed scores ranged from 4 (no insomnia) to 12 (severe insomnia). We assessed change in insomnia across the five waves as a function of race/ethnicity. Results Across all participants, insomnia severity scores increased 0.19 points (95% CI: 0.14-0.24; t = 7.52; design df = 56; p < 0.001) over time after adjustment for sex, race/ethnicity, education, and baseline age. After adjusting for the number of accumulated health conditions and body mass index, this trend decreased substantially and even changed direction (B = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.19; t = -9.22; design df = 56; p < 0.001). The increasing trajectory was significantly more pronounced in Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites, even after adjustment for number of accumulated health conditions, body mass index, and number of depressive symptoms. Conclusions Although insomnia severity increases with age - largely due to the accumulation of health conditions - this trend appears more pronounced among Hispanic older adults than in non-Hispanic whites. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for a different insomnia trajectory among Hispanics.
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article