Relationship between Visual Impairment, Insomnia, Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms among Russian Immigrants.

Background: Little is known about the association between visual impairment and insomnia symptoms in elderly populations. The purpose of this study was to ascertain associations between self-reported visual impairments and insomnia symptoms in a community-based sample of Russian immigrants.

Method: Sample consisted of 307 community-residing Russians (ages: 25-95 years, mean=72.64 ± 9.62; women=54% and men=46%). Semi-structured interviews assessed health-care needs and physical health characteristics. Collected demographic and health-related data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0.

Results: Overall, 93% reported at least one of several major health problems: visual impairment (48.4%), hypertension (53%), diabetes (25.7%), arthritis (52.8%), cancer (10.5%), weight problems (34.1%), and anxiety/depressive symptoms (43%), 62% had an insomnia diagnosis. Unadjusted logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with visual impairment were nearly three times as likely as those without to report insomnia symptoms [OR = 2.73, p < 0.01; 95% CI = 1.68-4.48]. Adjusting for the presence of socio demographic variables reduced the odds to 2.68; further adjustment for social isolation and anxiety and depressed symptoms reduced the odds to 2.20.Anxiety/depression mediated the relationship between visual impairment and insomnia.

Conclusion: Individuals with visual impairment have twice the odds of reporting insomnia independent of anxiety/depression and social isolation, two common problems affecting quality of life in that population.