In collaboration with Harvard University, representatives from the United States' largest insurer, and world-renowned experts in sleep medicine, EPI-Q conducted the American Insomnia Survey (AIS). The AIS is a landmark population-based survey designed to examine the prevalence and impairments associated with insomnia and insomnia subtypes in the US.

The 40-minute survey was administered by telephone to a probability sample of approximately 10,000 individuals identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD)™ along with an over-sample of 2,000 individuals with targeted comorbidities known to be highly comorbid with insomnia (ie, COPD, osteoarthritis, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathic pain, diabetes, and GERD). The HIRD represents 14 geographically dispersed health plans from the largest commercially insured population in the US. Respondents were identified in such a way as to allow their survey responses to be linked to their medical and pharmacy claims data. The study aim was to investigate the patterns and correlates of insomnia that are generalizable to US population, with a special focus on insomnia subtypes, comorbidity of insomnia with a wide range of other physical and mental disorders (identified from medical and pharmacy claims), daytime impairments associated with insomnia (eg, accidents, injuries, and lost productivity), and health care utilization. The team examined the prevalence and burden of insomnia in sub-samples defined by presence of comorbidities and among the elderly and obese.

During the Congress, a symposium was held with dedicated presentations addressing:

• The AIS methodology, definitions, and sample characteristics
• Present data on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and diagnoses according to different nosological systems
• Incremental predictive effects of insomnia on indicators of functional impairment and disability
• Effects of comorbid insomnia on the health burdens associated with a number of medical and psychiatric conditions

Overall, participants of the Congress left with the following learnings:

• Insomnia is a far more prevalent condition than expected.
• Insomnia is one of the most costly conditions in the US in terms of lost productivity, and as a cause of accidents and injuries.
• 30% of missed workdays in the US, each month, are attributed to insomnia, as well as nearly 10% of all accidents and injuries.
• Due to underdiagnosis and insomnia consequences, major policy shifts are anticipated as a result of these findings.

About EPI-Q, Inc.
EPI-Q, Inc. (www.epi-q.com) provides life sciences companies and healthcare providers and payer organizations with evidence-based solutions that elucidate the value of medical technology and improve health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. EPI-Q's professionals have extensive expertise in medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, business and healthcare administration. In addition, many of these experts maintain academic affiliations, publish and present frequently on issues pertaining to quality improvement and outcomes management.

Contacts:
Mark A. Jewell, PhD
President
EPI-Q, Inc.
Tel: 630.570.5505
Fax: 630.570.5506
Email: mark.jewell@epi-q.com

Katie Deering, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Director, Global Health Economics & Outcomes Research
EPI-Q, Inc.
Tel: 630.570.5505
Fax: 630.570.5506
Email: katie.deering@epi-q.com