Top

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-09-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Fatigue, insomnia and nervousness: gender disparities and roles of individual characteristics and lifestyle factors among economically active people

Authors: Patrick Peretti-Watel, Stéphane Legleye, Michèle Baumann, Marie Choquet, Bruno Falissard, Nearkasen Chau, The Lorhandicap Group

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 9/2009

Abstract

Background

Individuals with certain personal, family and job characteristics are at elevated risk of poor mental health. Yet, the respective role of obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, low education, income, living and family conditions, and socio-occupational category in fatigue/insomnia (FI), nervousness (N) and frequent drug use for those disorders (DFI and DN) among men and women and in gender disparities are not well known.

Methods

We studied gender differences in FI, N, DFI, DN, and in their correlated, and whether the gender differences were mediated by individual and lifestyle factors among 3,450 active subjects aged 18–64, randomly selected from North-eastern France. Subjects completed a post-mailed questionnaire. Data were analyzed via adjusted odds ratio (ORa) computed with the logistic regression model.

Results

Women were more affected than men for FI (21.3 vs. 13.1%, OR adjusted for age ORa 1.80, 95% CI 1.50–2.16), DFI (11.6 vs. 7.1%, ORa 1.74, 1.38–2.21), N (14.7 vs. 9.9%, ORa 1.58, 1.28–1.94), and for DN (12.1 vs. 5.7%, ORa 2.29, 1.79–2.94). These differences were not mediated by the individual characteristics studied. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk patterns varied between the two sexes. Smoking was related to N in men as well as in women; alcohol abuse to DFI in men only; lack of family support to all outcome variables in men and women; low educational level to DFI in men only; low income to FI, N and DN in men and to FI and DN in women; being unmarried to DN in men; being divorced/separated to N and DN in women; being a manual worker to FI and being a farmer to DFI in men; and being a manual worker to DN and being an employee to FI in women (1.50 ≤ ORa ≤ 2.95).

Conclusions

Women suffered more from fatigue/insomnia and nervousness and used more drug for those disorders than men. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors played significant roles among men and women but they did not explain the gender disparities.

Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Bernert S, Bruffaerts R, Brugha TS, Bryson H, de Girolamo G, Graaf R, Demyttenaere K, Gasquet I, Haro JM, Katz SJ, Kessler RC, Kovess V, Lépine JP, Ormel J, Polidori G, Russo LJ, Vilagut G, Almansa J, Arbabzadeh-Bouchez S, Autonell J, Bernal M, Buist-Bouwman MA, Codony M, Domingo-Salvany A, Ferrer M, Joo SS, Martínez-Alonso M, Matschinger H, Mazzi F, Morgan Z, Morosini P, Palacín C, Romera B, Taub N, Vollebergh WA, ESEMeD/MHEDEA (2000) Investigators, European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project (2004) Prevalence of mental disorders in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 420:21–27

Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Bernert S, Bruffaerts R, Brugha TS, Bryson H, de Girolamo G, Graaf R, Demyttenaere K, Gasquet I, Haro JM, Katz SJ, Kessler RC, Kovess V, Lépine JP, Ormel J, Polidori G, Russo LJ, Vilagut G, Almansa J, Arbabzadeh-Bouchez S, Autonell J, Bernal M, Buist-Bouwman MA, Codony M, Domingo-Salvany A, Ferrer M, Joo SS, Martínez-Alonso M, Matschinger H, Mazzi F, Morgan Z, Morosini P, Palacín C, Romera B, Taub N, Vollebergh WA, ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators, European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project (2004) Psychotropic drug utilization in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 420:55–64PubMed

Arwidson P, Guilbert P (2001) Consommation de soins et de médicaments. In: Guilbert P, Baudier F, Gautier A (eds) Baromètre santé 2000. INPES, Vanves, pp 311–324

Ashton H (1991) Psychotropic-drug prescribing for women. Br J Psychiatry 158:30–35

Baumann M, Pommier J, Deschamps JP (1996) Prescription médicale et consommation de psychotropes : quelques interrogations sur les différences entre hommes et femmes. Cah Sociol Demogr Med 63–78

Baumann M, Spitz E, Guillemin F, Ravaud JF, Choquet M, Falissard B, Chau N, Lorhandicap Group (2007) Associations of social and material deprivation with tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drug use, and gender differentials: a population-based study. Int J Health Geogr 6:50–60. doi:10.1186/1476-072X-6-50 PubMedCrossRef

Baumann M, Spitz E, Predine R, Choquet M, Chau N (2007) Do male and female adolescents differ in the effect of individual and family characteristics on their use of psychotropic drugs? Eur J Pediatr 166:29–35PubMedCrossRef

Beresford TP, Blow FC, Hill E, Singer K, Lucey MR (1990) Comparison of CAGE questionnaire and computer-assisted laboratory profiles in screening for covert alcoholism. Lancet 336:482–485PubMedCrossRef

Bhattacherjee A, Chau N, Sierra CO, Legras B, Benamghar L, Michaely JP, Ghosh AK, Guillemin F, Ravaud JF, Mur JM (2003) Relationships of job and some individual characteristics to occupational injuries in employed people: a community-based study. J Occup Health 45:382–391PubMedCrossRef

10.

Blaska B (1990) The myriad medication mistakes in psychiatry: a consumer’s view. Hosp Community Psychiatry 41:993–998PubMed

11.

Cafferata GL, Kasper J, Bernstein A (1983) Family roles, structure, and stressors in relation to sex differences in obtaining psychotropic drugs. J Health Soc Behav 24:132–143PubMedCrossRef

12.

Cafferata GL, Meyers SM (1990) Pathways to psychotropic drugs. Understanding the basis of gender differences. Med Care 28:285–300PubMedCrossRef

13.

Challier B, Chau N, Predine R, Choquet M, Legras B (2000) Associations of family environment and individual factors with tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use in adolescents. Eur J Epidemiol 16:33–42PubMedCrossRef

14.

Chambers CD, Griffey MS (1975) Use of legal substances within the general population: the sex and age variables. Addict Dis 2:7–19PubMed

15.

Chau N, Baumann M, Falissard B, Choquet M, the Lorhandicap group (2008) Social inequalities and correlates of psychotropic drug use among young adults: a population-based study. Int J Equity Health 7:3–14. doi:10.1186/14759276-7-3 PubMedCrossRef

16.

Chau N, Ravaud JF, Otero-Sierra C, Legras B, Macho-Fernandez J, Guillemin F, Sanchez J, Mur JM (2005) Prevalence of impairments and social inequalities: a community-based study in Lorraine. Revue d’Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 53:614–628PubMedCrossRef

17.

Chau N, Bourgkard E, Bhattacherjee A, Ravaud JF, Choquet M, Mur JM, Lorhandicap group (2008) Associations of job, living conditions and lifestyle with occupational injuries in working population: a population-based study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81:379–389PubMedCrossRef

18.

Chellappa SL, Araújo JF (2007) Sleep disorders and suicidal ideation in patients with depressive disorder. Psychiatry Res 153:131–136PubMedCrossRef

19.

Cooperstock R (1978) Sex differences in psychotropic drugs use: a review of findings and methods. Soc Sci Med 12:179–186PubMed

20.

Cooperstock R, Lennard H (1979) Some social meanings of tranquiliser use. Social Health Illn 1:331–347CrossRef

21.

Etter JF, Perneger TV (1997) Analysis of non-response bias in a mailed health survey. J Clin Epidemiol 50:1123–1128PubMedCrossRef

22.

Ferrie JE, Shipley MJ, Cappuccio FP, Brunner E, Miller MA, Kumari M, Marmot MG (2007) A prospective study of change in sleep duration: associations with mortality in the Whitehall II cohort. Sleep 30:1659–1666PubMed

23.

Gabe J, Thorogood M (1986) Prescribed drug use and the management of everyday life: the experiences of black and white working class women. Soc Rev 34:737–772

24.

Gasquet I, Nègre-Pagès L, Fourrier A, Nachbaur G, El-Hasnaoui A, Kovess V, Lépine JP (2005) Psychotropic drug use and mental psychiatric disorders in France; results of the general population ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 epidemiological study. Encephale 31:195–206PubMedCrossRef

25.

Gauchard GC, Deviterne D, Guillemin F, Sanchez J, Perrin PP, Mur JM, Ravaud JF, Chau N (2006) Prevalence of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls, and their relationships: a community-based study. Neuroepidemiol 26:108–118CrossRef

26.

Guilbert P, Baudier F, Gautier A (2001) Baromètre santé 2000—Résultats, vol 2. CFES, Vanves

27.

Guillemin F, Paul-Dauphin A, Virion JM, Bouchet C, Briançon S (1997) The DUKE health profile: a generic instrument to measure the quality of life tied to health. Sante Publique 9:35–44PubMed

28.

Gustafsson TM, Isacson DGL, Thorslund M, Sorbom D (1996) Factors associated with psychotropic drug use among the elderly living at home. J Appl Gerontol 15:238–254CrossRef

29.

Hartz AJ, Daly JM, Kohatsu ND, Stromquist AM, Jogerst GJ, Kukoyi OA (2007) Risk factors for insomnia in a rural population. Ann Epidemiol 17:940–947PubMedCrossRef

30.

Hendricks J, Johnson TP, Sheahan SL, Coons SJ (1991) Medication among older persons in congregate living facilities. J Geriatr Drug Ther 6:47–61

31.

Institut national de prévention et d’éducation pour la santé. Baromètre santé 2000. http://www.inpes.sante.fr/index.asp? page=Barometres/Baro2000/Integral/inegalites/1.asp. Accessed 10 Mar 2008

32.

Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (1993) Recensement de la population de 1990. Sondage au 1/4. INSEE, Nancy

33.

Kant IJ, Bultmann U, Schroer KA, Beurskens AJ, Van Amelsvoort LG, Swaen GM (2003) An epidemiological approach to study fatigue in the working population: the Maastricht Cohort Study. Occup Environ Med 60:i32–i39PubMedCrossRef

34.

Khlat M, Ravaud JF, Brouard N, Chau N, Group Lorhandicap (2008) Occupational disparities in accidents and roles of lifestyle factors and disabilities. A population-based study in North-eastern France. Public Health 122:771–783PubMedCrossRef

35.

Lorhandicap-group (2000) Approches méthodologiques dans une enquête épidémiologique sur les handicaps en Lorraine. Handicap Revue de Sciences Humaines et Sociales 88:1–23

36.

Lorhandicap group, Chau N, Ravaud JF, Bourgkard E, Sanchez J, Choquet M, Meyer JP, Otero Sierra C, Michaely JP, Legras B, Guillemin F, Bhattacherjee A, Guillaume S, Dazord A, Méjean L, Tubiana-Rufi N, Schléret Y, Mur JM (2004) Relationships of demanding work conditions with fatigue and psychosomatic disorders: a community-based study. Occup Environ Med 61:e46–e46

37.

Lovell A, Fuhrer R (1996) Troubles de la santé mentale: la plus grande “fragilité” des femmes remise en cause. In: Savrel-Cubizolles MJ, Blondel B (eds) La santé des femmes. Flammarion, Paris, pp 252–283

38.

Marquié L, Raufaste E, Lauque D, Mariné C, Ecoiffier M, Sorum P (2003) Pain rating by patients and physicians: evidence of systematic pain miscalibration. Pain 102:289–296PubMedCrossRef

39.

Martens EJ, Nyklíček I, Szabó BM, Kupper N (2008) Depression and anxiety as predictors of heart rate variability after myocardial infarction. Psychol Med 38:375–383PubMed

40.

Martin R, Lemos K (2002) From heart attacks to melanoma: do common sense models of somatization influence symptom interpretation for female victims? Health Psychol 21:25–32PubMedCrossRef

41.

Nakata A, Haratani T, Takahashi M, Kawakami N, Arito H, Kobayashi F, Fujioka Y, Fukui S, Araki S (2004) Association of sickness absence with poor sleep and depressive symptoms in shift workers. Chronobiol Int 21:899–912PubMedCrossRef

42.

Ohayon MM, Lader MH (2002) Use of psychotropic medication in the general population of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. J Clin Psychiatry 63:817–825PubMed

43.

Olié JP, Elomari F, Spadone C, Lépine JP (2002) Antidepressants consumption in the global population in France. Encephale 28:411–417PubMed

44.

Rueff B (1995) Les malades de l’alcool. John Libbey Eurotext, Paris

45.

Rusli BN, Edimansyah BA, Naing L (2008) Working conditions, self-perceived stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life: a structural equation modelling approach. BMC Public Health 8:48 (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-48)

46.

Spagnoli A, Ostino G, Borga AD, D’Ambrosio R, Maggiorotti P, Todisco E, Prattichizzo W, Pia L, Comelli M (1989) Drug compliance and unreported drugs in the elderly. J Am Geriatr Soc 37:619–624PubMed

47.

Suka M, Yoshida K, Sugimori H (2003) Persistent insomnia is a predictor of hypertension in Japanese male workers. J Occup Health 45:344–350PubMedCrossRef

48.

Székely A, Balog P, Benkö E, Breuer T, Székely J, Kertai MD, Horkay F, Kopp MS, Thayer JF (2007) Anxiety predicts mortality and morbidity after coronary artery and valve surgery— a 4-year follow-up study. Psychosom Med 69:625–631PubMedCrossRef

49.

Tarasiuk A, Greenberg-Dotan S, Simon-Tuval T, Oksenberg A, Reuveni H (2008) The effect of obstructive sleep apnea on morbidity and health care utilization of middle-aged and older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 56:247–254PubMedCrossRef

50.

Tsara V, Kaimakamis E, Serasli E, Katsarou Z, Christaki P (2008) Health related quality of life in Greek patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome treated with continuous positive airway pressure. Sleep Med Feb 14 (Epub ahead of print)

51.

Verbrugge LM, Steiner RP (1985) Prescribing drugs to men and women. Health Psychol 4:79–98PubMedCrossRef

52.

Wallander MA, Johansson S, Ruigómez A, García Rodríguez LA, Jones R (2007) Morbidity associated with sleep disorders in primary care: a longitudinal cohort study. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 9:338–345PubMedCrossRef

53.

World Health Organization (2000) Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. WHO obesity technical report series no. 894. World Health Organization, Geneva

Title: Fatigue, insomnia and nervousness: gender disparities and roles of individual characteristics and lifestyle factors among economically active people
Authors: Patrick Peretti-Watel
Stéphane Legleye
Michèle Baumann
Marie Choquet
Bruno Falissard
Nearkasen Chau
The Lorhandicap Group
Publication date: 01-09-2009
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 9/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0487-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Fatigue, insomnia and nervousness: gender disparities and roles of individual characteristics and lifestyle factors among economically active people

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 9/2009

Patterns of care in patients discharged from acute psychiatric inpatient facilities

Impact of early childhood adversities on adult psychiatric disorders

From childhood to adult age: 18-year longitudinal results and prediction of the course of mental disorders in the community

Suicide and mental illness in parents and risk of suicide in offspring

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after stigma related events in HIV infected individuals in Nigeria

First-episode drug-induced psychosis: a medium term follow up study reveals a high-risk group