Background and Aim: Insomnia is a common disorder with a chronic course. Consequences of chronic insomnia can affect quality of life. Determination of these consequences can be useful in designing treatment plans for these patients. This study aimed to determine the consequences of chronic insomnia.

Martial and Methods: The study was performed by a qualitative approach via conventional content analysis. Using purposeful sampling, we selected 17 patients with chronic insomnia from sleep disorders research center of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected by semi structure interview over a 6 month period (March to September 2014). All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed qualitatively.

Results: Insomnia consequences were categorized in three main levels, health, functional and financial consequences. Health related consequences included wide spectrum of physical, psychological, and cognitive problems. The functional and financial consequences consisted of several aspects of impairment in individual and family function, and costs associated with chronic insomnia.

Conclusion: The results showed that chronic insomnia not only affected physical, mental, and cognitive status, but also individual and family function, and resulted in increased costs. Attention to these consequences is recommended for treatment planning.

Keywords: Chronic insomnia, Consequences, Qualitative study, Content analysis.

Received: Apr 27, 2015      Accepted: Jul 6, 2015