INTRODUCTION A number of different studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of sleep disorders among adolescents. These are often cited as being due to psychological, hormonal or pubertal factors, as well as inadequate sleep habits. Aims. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in the adolescent population and to describe their sleep habits and the relationship between sleep disorders and daytime tiredness or drowsiness.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS We conducted an epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional study in a sample of schoolchildren studying the 1st and 4th years of compulsory secondary education by means of a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Insomnia was diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria.

RESULTS Of a total number of 1155 children, 537 were males and 618 were females, with a mean age of 14.03 ±1.86 years. They sleep an average of 8 hr 18 m during the week and 9 hr 40 m at the weekend. Poor quality sleep was reported by 38.55%, 23.1% had difficulty in getting to sleep, 38.2% woke up during the night and 15.9% woke up too early. 17.7% reported some kind of sleep complaint plus some other insomnia-related symptom; the prevalence of insomnia was found to be 9.9%. Snoring (20.5%), talking in their sleep (45.4%) and nightmares (29.5%) were the most frequent parasomnias. 53% of them complained of excessive sleepiness during the day. Insomnia is more frequent in older adolescents, with a family history of similar disorders, among those who smoke and drink and sleep fewer hours at the weekend; those with insomnia present more symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as more daytime drowsiness. CONCLUSION. A number of factors are related to the high prevalence of sleep disorders among adolescents, giving rise to their being very tired and drowsy during the day. The interruption of their normal sleep habits at the weekend and an insufficient number of hours’ sleep are related to the appearance of insomnia.

Introducción Diversos estudios han mostrado la alta prevalencia de trastornos del sueño entre los adolescentes. Como causa se invocan factores sicológicos, hormonales, puberales y hábitos de sueño inadecuados.

Objetivos Conocer la prevalencia de trastornos del sueño en la población adolescente, describir los hábitos de sueño y la relación con los trastornos del sueño y el cansancio o somnolencia diurna.

Pacientes y métodos Estudio epidemiológico, observacional, descriptivo, transversal, en alumnos de 1.º y 4.º de enseñanza secundaria obligatoria mediante cuestionario anónimo autoadministrado. El insomnio se diagnosticó con criterios del DSM-IV.

Resultados De los 1.155 alumnos, 537 eran chicos y 618 chicas, de 14,03 ±1,86 años de edad media. Duermen una media de 8 h 18 m entre semana y 9 h 40 m los fines de semana. El 38,55% refiere sueño de mala calidad, un 23,1% dificultad de conciliación, el 38,2% despertares nocturnos y el 15,9% despertar precoz. El 17,7% manifiesta queja de sueño más algún síntoma de insomnio; la prevalencia de insomnio encontrada fue del 9,9%. Roncan el 20,5%; la somniloquia (45,4%) y las pesadillas (29,5%) son las parasomnias más frecuentes. Un 53% se queja de excesiva somnolencia diurna. El insomnio es más frecuente en los adolescentes mayores, con antecedentes familiares, entre los que fuman y beben y duermen menos tiempo en el fin de semana; los insomnes presentan más síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, así como más somnolencia durante el día.

Conclusión Los trastornos del sueño son muy prevalentes entre los adolescentes con relación a múltiples factores, lo que conduce a un importante cansancio e hipersomnolencia durante el día; la ruptura de los hábitos de sueño en el fin de semana y un tiempo de sueño insuficiente, se relaciona con la aparición de insomnio.