Chronic Insomnia in Hospitalized Adults: Associated Conditions and Metabolic Abnormalities

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 22, 2026 Medically reviewed April 25, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Recognize that chronic insomnia in hospitalized patients is associated with multiple comorbidities and metabolic abnormalities, but evidence is limited and observational.

This retrospective observational cohort study included 871 hospitalized adult patients aged 18 to 100 years with chronic insomnia at Fengjie County People’s Hospital in Chongqing. The cohort’s mean age was 64.1 ± 13.9 years, with 39.6% male representation and a mean BMI of 23.1 ± 3.7 kg/m². The study did not specify an intervention or comparator.

The most common diagnostic categories associated with chronic insomnia were infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, tumors, and musculoskeletal conditions. Metabolic abnormalities were also frequent, with a significant proportion presenting with elevated fasting blood glucose levels and dyslipidemia. No specific prevalence rates, effect sizes, or confidence intervals were provided for these associations.

No safety or tolerability data were reported; adverse events, serious adverse events, and treatment discontinuations were not described. The study did not report a follow-up duration.

Key limitations include the single-center retrospective design, potential selection bias, and lack of a control group. The authors note that this observational study reports associations only and cannot establish causation. Evidence is from a single-center retrospective cohort; findings may not be generalizable.

Given these limitations, clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously. The results highlight that chronic insomnia in hospitalized patients often co-occurs with multiple comorbidities and metabolic abnormalities, warranting clinical attention to these associations rather than inferring causality.

Study Details

Study typeCohort

EvidenceLevel 3

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

ObjectiveInsomnia is a prevalent health issue within the general population. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of research specifically addressing chronic insomnia among hospitalized patients. Consequently, the objective of this study is to investigate chronic insomnia in adult inpatients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalized patients at Fengjie County People’s Hospital in Chongqing from January 2022 to June 2025. The study included patients aged 18 to 100 years, with comprehensive documentation of their demographic information, laboratory test results, and insomnia treatment details. Patients with incomplete data or those under 18 years of age were excluded from the study. The analysis focused on the age distribution, gender ratio, and BMI distribution of the patients, as well as the prevalence of primary diagnostic categories and the distribution characteristics of fasting blood glucose levels and dyslipidemia.ResultsThe study included a total of 871 patients, with a male representation of 39.6%. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.1 ± 3.7 kg/m², and the mean age was 64.1 ± 13.9 years. The predominant sources of disease were identified as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, tumors, and musculoskeletal conditions. A significant proportion of patients presented with elevated fasting blood glucose levels and dyslipidemia.ConclusionChronic insomnia in hospitalized patients predominantly affects elderly women. Chronic insomnia in hospitalized patients predominantly affects elderly women, who primarily present with infectious diseases, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, tumors, and musculoskeletal issues. These patients often exhibit dyslipidemia and elevated fasting blood glucose levels, necessitating clinical attention.