The frequency of sleep disorders and their relationship with demographic factors in patients with tinnitus

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of sleep disorders in individuals diagnosed with tinnitus and to investigate the effect of demographic factors on these disorders. Methods: This retrospective study included 112 patients diagnosed with tinnitus between January 2018 and December 2019 at the Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital's otolaryngology clinic. The electronic files of the participants in the study were examined for sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, inability to fall asleep, sleep terrors, sleepwalking according to ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. The effect of demographic findings on sleep disorders were examined with multivariable regression analysis. Result: The mean age of the study population was 38.12±11.35 years and 48.21% were female. The frequency of sleep disorders was 20.5%. The female gender ratio, body mass index (BMI), smoking users and housewife ratio were higher in the group with tinnitus and sleep disorders compared to the group with isolated tinnitus. The mean age was higher in the group with isolated tinnitus compared to the group with tinnitus and sleep disorders. Advancing age (OR = 1.33, p = 0.038) and elevated BMI levels (OR = 1.55, p = 0.035) were associated with an increased likelihood of sleep disorders, whereas male gender (OR = 0.74, p = 0.038) was associated with a decreased likelihood. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that that sleep disorders are prevalent in tinnitus patients. Advancing age and increased BMI were tied to a higher likelihood of sleep disorders in tinnitus patients, whereas male gender was linked to a reduced risk. These results indicate that demographic factors should be taken into account when managing sleep disorders in tinnitus patients.