# Sleep Disorders in Family Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence, Screening, and Treatment Approaches in Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study finds that sleep disorders are common in Saudi Arabia but often go undiagnosed and untreated in primary care, with limited use of effective non-drug treatments.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the current state of sleep disorder management in Saudi family medicine and highlights barriers to effective care.

## Key findings

- 22.4% of participants reported trouble sleeping three or more times a week, and 46.2% experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Pharmacological treatments were more common than non-pharmacological options like CBT-I or CPAP therapy.
- Barriers to effective management included patient awareness, time constraints, and limited access to mental health professionals.

## Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders are prevalent in the general population and can significantly impact health outcomes. Family medicine practitioners often serve as the first point of contact for patients with sleep-related issues. However, sleep disorders are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care settings. This study investigates the prevalence, screening practices, management strategies, and barriers faced by family medicine practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding sleep disorders.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders, explore the diagnostic and treatment practices, and identify barriers to effective management among family medicine practitioners in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 245 family medicine practitioners in Saudi Arabia using a structured questionnaire. The survey gathered information on demographics, sleep disorder prevalence, diagnostic methods, treatment preferences, patient knowledge, and barriers to management. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was provided by all participants.

Results: Among the 245 participants, 22.4% reported experiencing trouble falling or staying asleep at least three times a week, and 46.2% experienced excessive daytime sleepiness. Snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep was reported by 29% of participants, with 12.9% diagnosed with sleep apnea and 23.3% diagnosed with insomnia. Regarding treatment, 41% of participants with diagnosed sleep disorders received no treatment, while pharmacological therapy (sedative medications and antidepressants) was the most common intervention (32.2%). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) was prescribed to 5.2% of patients, and 6.0% received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Diagnostic practices revealed that 44.2% of practitioners used self-reported questionnaires like the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while 28.1% relied only on clinical interviews. Barriers to effective management included patient awareness (32.9%), time constraints (27.8%), and limited access to mental health professionals (13.3%). A significant proportion (57.8%) of respondents believed more research was needed on sleep disorders within family medicine settings.

Conclusion: Sleep disorders are prevalent among family medicine patients in Saudi Arabia, with significant underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Pharmacological interventions are more commonly used than non-pharmacological treatments, such as CBT-I. Barriers like lack of patient awareness, time limitations, and access to mental health specialists hinder effective management. Training for family medicine practitioners on sleep disorder management and the implementation of routine screening are essential steps toward improving diagnosis and treatment in primary care settings.