Insomnia in male veterans with and without military sexual trauma receiving care within a VA medical center

This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of insomnia in male veterans with military sexual trauma (MST) who currently receive care within a VA medical center.

We evaluated cross-sectional data from a VA medical center (n = 138) using the following instruments: Insomnia Severity Index, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for Consumption, and a nightmare question for insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and drinking, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable analyses assessed the relationship between Insomnia Severity Index and other clinical variables.

About 31.9% screened positive for MST. When compared to those without MST (MST−), those with MST (MST+) had a higher prevalence of insomnia (95.5% vs 81.9%) and higher Insomnia Severity Index (20 ± 5.1 vs 16.7 ± 7.2, P = .003) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (48.5 ± 14.4 vs 38.2 ± 19.8, P = .0008) total scores. In the multivariable models, the Insomnia Severity Index total score was associated with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist total score (P = .015) in MST+ individuals and with Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (P < .001) in MST− individuals.

Most veterans with MST within the Veterans Health Administration had insomnia, which was associated with their underlying psychiatric comorbidity.

Makar K, Mills A, Rivera LA, Aguiar TL, He S, Subhajit C. Insomnia in male veterans with and without military sexual trauma receiving care within a VA medical center. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(6):991–994.