The Prevalence, Key Causes and Management of Insomnia in Palliative Care Patients

In a prospective audit, the prevalence, key causes and treatment of insomnia prior to admission were evaluated in a population of hospice patients using a questionnaire based on a review article of key features related to insomnia in the palliative care setting. Seventy-four patients completed the questionnaire. Fifty-two (70%) patients had insomnia symptoms. Uncontrolled physical symptoms, most often pain (15 patients), were the commonest cause of insomnia, cited by 31 (60%) sleep-disturbed patients. Thirteen (62%) of 21 patients who had been prescribed hypnotic medication reported an improvement with the prescribed medication. Twenty (38%) of the 52 patients with insomnia suggested that improved symptom control would improve their sleep, and only two (4%) suggested the need for more hypnotic medication. We conclude that insomnia is a common symptom in terminally ill patients and that improved symptom control should be a priority in the management of insomnia in this group of patients.