From: mk
Bolzano – How does South Tyrol sleep? The first South Tyrolean sleep study answers these and other questions about sleep. From April to June 2024, the survey was carried out by the Institute for General Medicine and Public Health in Bolzano in collaboration with the State Institute for Statistics ASTAT. With this study, meaningful data on sleep quality in the adult population of South Tyrol is now available for the first time. “Most people in South Tyrol sleep well, but one in six sleeps poorly. Women, older people and people with chronic illnesses in particular often sleep worse. Those who regularly make sure they get enough sleep sleep better,” explains study leader Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer.
Institute of General Medicine and Public Health Bolzano
Sleep as a central component of health
The sleep study by the Institute for General Medicine and Public Health in Bolzano is part of a survey on the health literacy of the South Tyrolean population that will be carried out in 2024. “The data on the sleep of South Tyroleans is among the first data that we evaluated. The quality of sleep has a major impact on health and well-being. For this reason, local data can help raise public awareness of the issue of sleep and initiate individual solution strategies,” says Dr. Adolf Engl, President of the Institute for General Medicine and Public Health. “Sleep is just as crucial to our health as our exercise or eating habits. “The American Heart Association recently identified sleep duration and quality as one of eight vital prerequisites for the prevention of cardiovascular disease,” emphasizes Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer, head of the South Tyrolean Sleep Study 2024 and scientist at the institute. “In the short term, poor sleep leads to daytime tiredness and difficulty concentrating. In the long term, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and mental illnesses,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Wiedermann, research coordinator of the institute and ex-primary for internal medicine at the Bolzano Hospital.
Sleep quality in South Tyrol: representative data for the first time
“Our study is the first to provide meaningful data on sleep quality in South Tyrol’s general adult population,” emphasizes Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer. The population was surveyed between April and June 2024 in collaboration with the State Institute for Statistics ASTAT. A sample of 4,000 people over the age of 18 was drawn from the municipal population registers. 2,090 people completed the questionnaire. To assess citizens’ sleep quality, a short version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used.
The most important results of the 2024 sleep study at a glance
Women are significantly more likely to have bad sleep than men. “Although this difference is usually explained by hormonal changes (e.g. menstruation, pregnancy or menopause), it shows that there is still a great need for research into gender medicine on the topic of sleep,” says Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer.
The average South Tyrolean has a “classic” sleep pattern: “He or she goes to bed between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. (60 percent of those surveyed) and wakes up in the morning between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. (61 percent of those surveyed). That’s an average of seven hours of sleep per night. “This duration corresponds to the recommendations of the scientific literature, which states that a nightly sleep duration of seven to eight hours is ideal for adults,” emphasizes Dr. Ausserhofer. Despite this recommendation, many people sleep less: around 28 percent of those surveyed said they only slept 6 hours or less per night in the four weeks before the survey. “Such a lack of sleep often has consequences: many people feel exhausted during the day and have difficulty concentrating or being mentally fit. In the long term, a persistent sleep deficit can even have serious health effects,” emphasizes Dr. Ausserhofer. Research shows that too little sleep can increase the risk of various diseases, such as cardiovascular problems, obesity and diabetes (type 2), but also depression and anxiety disorders.
The Italian-speaking population in South Tyrol reports poor sleep quality more often (25 percent) than the German-speaking population (16 percent). In addition, a shortened sleep duration of less than six hours is more common among Italian-speaking citizens (40 percent) than among German-speaking citizens (25 percent). “26 percent of German-speaking citizens, but only 18 percent of Italian-speaking citizens, often pay attention to getting enough sleep,” explains Dr. Ausserhofer. There was no difference between the language groups with regard to the time it took to fall asleep or the use of sleep medication. “This can be explained by social and cultural factors that also affect sleep behavior. These include the later dinner times of the Italian-speaking population and the associated later bedtimes and shorter sleep times,” says Dr. Ausserhofer.
Those who make sure they get enough sleep (80 percent) sleep better. “Of those surveyed, 17% stated that they had taken over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed medication at least once or more in the last month before the survey in order to sleep better. Despite taking sleeping pills, the likelihood of poor sleep quality is almost twice as high compared to people who do not take sleeping pills,” explains study leader Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer.
Eight Hours of Sleep: Myth and Science
As international sleep research has shown, the optimal sleep duration is between seven and eight hours per night. “The fact that eight hours of sleep is healthy is not a myth, but rather scientifically proven,” explains Prof. Christian Wiedermann. “Too little sleep can lead to health problems, while excessive sleep – more than nine hours – is also linked to increased health risks. Important elements of healthy sleep hygiene are regular sleep times and avoiding screen light shortly before going to bed,” says Prof. Wiedermann, coordinator of the institute’s research projects.
The role of family doctors
What to do if you have bad sleep?
“Maintaining good sleep hygiene, such as getting enough and regular sleep of seven to eight hours, is the best medicine for good sleep,” says Dr. Dietmar Ausserhofer, head of the South Tyrolean Sleep Study 2024. The treatment of poor sleep quality should primarily take place without medication. Dr. Giuliano Piccoliori emphasizes that “avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed, maintaining a consistent routine, and creating a calm sleep environment are valuable, non-drug options for people with mild or occasional insomnia.” Especially for chronic insomnia, such approaches are often more effective and less risky than medication. A key approach is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which aims to associate bed exclusively with sleep by only lying down when you are truly tired. Piccoliori also recommends relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation, which can be supplemented by yoga and autogenic training and support the path to more restful sleep.
Sleep and sleep disorders: Congress on November 9, 2024 in Bolzano
This year’s institute discussions will take place on Saturday, November 9th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Claudiana in Bolzano. They are dedicated to sleep and sleep disorders. The congress is aimed at experts from the healthcare sector as well as interested citizens. Prof. Luigi Ferini-Strambi, head of the Sleep Medicine Center at IRCCS “San Raffaele” in Milan, will talk about the social and economic impact of sleep disorders on health and quality of life. The neuropsychiatrists Dr. Elisa Menna and Dr. Marco Angriman (South Tyrolean medical company) will provide information about the influence of electronic devices on the sleep quality of children and young people. Dr. Simon Kostner, general practitioner from Val Gardena, introduces the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Dr. Viola Gschliesser, head of the South Tyrolean Center for Sleep Medicine, provides insights into the developments in regional sleep medicine. The health psychologist Dr. Andrea Hoflehner from the Innsbruck University Clinic for Neurology is investigating the role of apps in the treatment of sleep disorders. Dr. Milena Camaioni from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” talks about dreams from a medical perspective. Participation in the congress is possible without registration.
