Self-reported sleep disorders/disturbances associated with physical symptoms and usage of computers

The aim of our work is to study self-reported sleep disorders/disturbances associated with physical symptoms and usage of computers, and to analyse physical symptoms of different groups, usage of desktop computers, usage of portable computers or mini-computers, and background information. The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study by posting a questionnaire to 15 000 working-age persons. The responses (6121) included 1016 (16.6%) respondents, who reported that they suffered quite often or more often sleeping disorders/disturbances during the last 12 months. Of those respondents 708 (69.7%) were employed. In statistical analyses comparisons have been done between: 1) workers with quite often or more often sleep disorders/disturbances and without and 2) employed and unemployed persons with quite often or more often sleep disorders/disturbances. When comparing employed persons with and without sleep disorders/disturbances we found significant differences in self-reported physical symptoms and mental symptoms. In addition, there were differences in the usage of desktop computers at leisure. In the future it is important to take into account that persons with sleep disorders also have other differences e.g., in symptoms as persons without sleep disorders. Situations can also be quite different if a person is in employed or unemployed. Relevance to industry: Sleep disorders/disturbances are quite common symptoms that have their effect on the productivity and well-being of industrial workers. A large-scale questionnaire offers a good reference for evaluating the prevalence of the self-reported sleep disorders/disturbances associated with physical symptoms and usage of computers. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.