Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 7:210–222, 2009
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1540-2002 print/1540-2010 online
DOI: 10.1080/15402000903190199
Insomnia Symptoms and Use of
Health Care Services and Medications:
The HUNT-2 Study
Børge Sivertsen
Department of Clinical Psychology
University of Bergen, Norway
Steinar Krokstad
HUNT Research Centre
Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Norway; and
Levanger Hospital
Nord-Trøndelag Health Trust, Norway
Arnstein Mykletun
Research Centre for Health Promotion
Department Psychology
University of Bergen, Norway; and
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology
Department of Mental Health, Oslo, Norway
Simon Øverland
Research Centre for Health Promotion
Department of Psychology
University of Bergen, Norway
This study investigated how symptoms of insomnia are related to use of health care services and
medications. Data on insomnia symptoms, use of a range of health care services, and potential
confounders were gathered from 47,700 individuals aged 20 to 89. The prevalence of insomnia
symptoms was higher among health care users across a range of health professionals. The frequency
of medication use, alcohol overuse, and hospitalization was also higher among individuals with
Correspondence should be addressed to Børge Sivertsen, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen,
Christiesgt 12, 5015, Bergen, Norway. E-mail: borge.sivertsen@psykp.uib.no
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