A comprehensive review has found that insomnia may be linked to a higher risk of stroke, hospitalisation, and various neurological and mental health conditions. This research, supported by the European Academy of Neurology, indicates that individuals with insomnia have a 26% increased risk of stroke and a 28% higher likelihood of hospital admission compared to those without the condition.
Read More
The researchers conducted an umbrella systematic review analyzing evidence across seven health outcomes: dementia, stroke, depression, suicidal behavior, mortality, workplace accidents, and hospitalisation. The team examined data from MEDLINE and EMBASE up to August 2025, integrating findings from existing systematic reviews along with three new systematic reviews focused on stroke, occupational injuries, and hospital admissions.
Insomnia is defined by difficulties in initiating or maintaining sleep, leading to impaired daytime functioning despite adequate opportunities for rest. While the immediate consequences of insomnia on sleep quality and daily life are recognized, researchers aimed to investigate its potential longer-term effects on neurological and general health outcomes.
The review identified nine relevant studies on stroke with over 1.3 million participants, where six studies were included in the meta-analysis, showing a 26% increased risk of stroke related to insomnia. There was noted variability between studies, indicating that the strength of this association may differ among different populations and methodologies.
Regarding hospitalisation, five studies were examined, with three included in the meta-analysis. The findings indicated that those experiencing insomnia faced a 28% higher chance of being admitted to the hospital for any reason compared to those without insomnia.
The umbrella review also identified links between insomnia and mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal behavior, as well as with dementia. Previous meta-analyses have suggested a 36% greater likelihood of all-cause dementia and a 52% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among individuals with insomnia. However, results varied, particularly for Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
These findings suggest that insomnia could be a significant indicator of broader brain and mental health issues, rather than merely a sleep disorder. Despite these associations, the researchers cautioned that their findings do not imply causality due to variations in insomnia definitions, potential confounding factors, and inconsistent consideration of sleep medications.
Further investigation is necessary to determine whether effective treatments for insomnia can mitigate subsequent neurological and general health risks. The authors recommend that addressing insomnia should be included in broader clinical discussions regarding brain health and preventative care.