Table of Contents

Component Description

Questions on sleep (SLQ) are new to NHANES in 2005-6. This section includes questions on sleep habits, and disorders. A subscale of eight questions, related to general productivity from the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (Weaver, et al.), are also included.

Eligible Sample

The eligible sample was participants 16 years and older.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked in the home using the Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The CAPI and ACASI systems are programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Data Processing and Editing

Edits were made to ensure the completeness, consistency, and analytic usefulness of the data.

Analytic Notes

Derived variables:

SLD010H: How much sleep to you usually get at night?
Minutes rounded and responses of 12 hours or greater were categorized as 12 hours or more.

SLD020M: How long does it usually take to fall asleep at bedtime?
Reports of 1 hour or longer were categorized as 60 minutes or more.

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

SLD010H - How much sleep do you get (hours)?

Variable Name:
SLD010H
SAS Label:
How much sleep do you get (hours)?
English Text:
The next set of questions is about your sleeping habits. How much sleep {do you/does SP} usually get at night on weekdays or workdays?
English Instructions:
INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: ENTER HOURS.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 11 Range of Values 6078 6078
12 12 hours or more 50 6128
77 Refused 1 6129
99 Don't know 10 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLD020M - How long to fall asleep (minutes)?

Variable Name:
SLD020M
SAS Label:
How long to fall asleep (minutes)?
English Text:
How long does it usually take {you/SP} to fall asleep at bedtime?
English Instructions:
INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: ENTER MINUTES.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 50 Range of Values 5170 5170
60 60 minutes or more 924 6094
77 Refused 1 6095
99 Don't know 44 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ030 - How often do you snore?

Variable Name:
SLQ030
SAS Label:
How often do you snore?
English Text:
In the past 12 months, how often did {you/SP} snore while {you were/s/he was} sleeping?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 2014 2014
1 Rarely (1-2 nights/week) 1017 3031
2 Occasionally (3-4 nights/week) 803 3834
3 Frequently (5 or more nights/week) 1495 5329
7 Refused 3 5332
9 Don't know 807 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ040 - How often do you snort / stop breathing?

Variable Name:
SLQ040
SAS Label:
How often do you snort / stop breathing?
English Text:
In the past 12 months, how often did {you/SP} snort, gasp, or stop breathing while {you were/s/he was} asleep?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 4655 4655
1 Rarely (1-2 nights/week) 437 5092
2 Occasionally (3-4 nights/week) 274 5366
3 Frequently (5 or more nights/week) 268 5634
7 Refused 2 5636
9 Don't know 503 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ050 - Ever told doctor had trouble sleeping?

Variable Name:
SLQ050
SAS Label:
Ever told doctor had trouble sleeping?
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever told a doctor or other health professional that {you have/s/he has} trouble sleeping?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1184 1184
2 No 4946 6130
7 Refused 1 6131
9 Don't know 8 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ060 - Ever told by doctor have sleep disorder?

Variable Name:
SLQ060
SAS Label:
Ever told by doctor have sleep disorder?
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {you have/s/he has} a sleep disorder?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 370 370
2 No 5763 6133 SLQ080
7 Refused 1 6134 SLQ080
9 Don't know 5 6139 SLQ080
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ070A - Sleep disorder: Sleep Apnea

Variable Name:
SLQ070A
SAS Label:
Sleep disorder: Sleep Apnea
English Text:
What was the sleep disorder?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Sleep Apnea 201 201
7 Refused 0 201
9 Don't know 28 229
. Missing 5910 6139

SLQ070B - Sleep disorder: Insomnia

Variable Name:
SLQ070B
SAS Label:
Sleep disorder: Insomnia
English Text:
What was the sleep disorder?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Insomnia 78 78
. Missing 6061 6139

SLQ070C - Sleep disorder: Restless Legs

Variable Name:
SLQ070C
SAS Label:
Sleep disorder: Restless Legs
English Text:
What was the sleep disorder?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Restless Legs 25 25
. Missing 6114 6139

SLQ070D - Sleep disorder: Other

Variable Name:
SLQ070D
SAS Label:
Sleep disorder: Other
English Text:
What was the sleep disorder?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 Other 62 62
. Missing 6077 6139

SLQ080 - How often have trouble falling asleep?

Variable Name:
SLQ080
SAS Label:
How often have trouble falling asleep?
English Text:
This next set of questions is about {your/SP?s} sleeping habits in the past month. In the past month, how often did {you/SP} have trouble falling asleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 2629 2629
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 1262 3891
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1304 5195
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 526 5721
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 416 6137
7 Refused 1 6138
9 Don't know 1 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ090 - How often wake up during night?

Variable Name:
SLQ090
SAS Label:
How often wake up during night?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] wake up during the night and had trouble getting back to sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 2401 2401
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 1231 3632
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1396 5028
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 695 5723
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 409 6132
7 Refused 1 6133
9 Don't know 6 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ100 - How often wake up too early in morning?

Variable Name:
SLQ100
SAS Label:
How often wake up too early in morning?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] wake up too early in the morning and {were/was} unable to get back to sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 2822 2822
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 1112 3934
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1196 5130
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 625 5755
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 376 6131
7 Refused 1 6132
9 Don't know 7 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ110 - How often feel unrested during the day?

Variable Name:
SLQ110
SAS Label:
How often feel unrested during the day?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] feel unrested during the day, no matter how many hours of sleep {you have/s/he has} had?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 1918 1918
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 996 2914
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1713 4627
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 932 5559
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 570 6129
7 Refused 1 6130
9 Don't know 9 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ120 - How often feel overly sleepy during day?

Variable Name:
SLQ120
SAS Label:
How often feel overly sleepy during day?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] feel excessively or overly sleepy during the day?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 2124 2124
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 1311 3435
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1599 5034
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 715 5749
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 378 6127
7 Refused 1 6128
9 Don't know 11 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ130 - How often did you not get enough sleep?

Variable Name:
SLQ130
SAS Label:
How often did you not get enough sleep?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] not get enough sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 1856 1856
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 1077 2933
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 1697 4630
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 923 5553
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 564 6117
7 Refused 1 6118
9 Don't know 21 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ140 - How often take pills to help you sleep?

Variable Name:
SLQ140
SAS Label:
How often take pills to help you sleep?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] take sleeping pills or other medication to help {you/him/her} sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 5190 5190
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 237 5427
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 277 5704
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 145 5849
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 288 6137
7 Refused 1 6138
9 Don't know 1 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ150 - How often have leg jerks while sleeping?

Variable Name:
SLQ150
SAS Label:
How often have leg jerks while sleeping?
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] have leg jerks while trying to sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 4867 4867
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 431 5298
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 487 5785
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 192 5977
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 118 6095
7 Refused 1 6096
9 Don't know 43 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ160 - How often have legs cramp while sleeping

Variable Name:
SLQ160
SAS Label:
How often have legs cramp while sleeping
English Text:
[In the past month, how often did {you/SP}] have leg cramps while trying to sleep?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 4267 4267
1 Rarely (1 time a month) 731 4998
2 Sometimes (2-4 times a month) 778 5776
3 Often (5-15 times a month) 246 6022
4 Almost always (16-30 times a month) 109 6131
7 Refused 1 6132
9 Don't know 7 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ170 - Difficulty concentrating when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ170
SAS Label:
Difficulty concentrating when tired?
English Text:
The purpose of this next set of questions is to find out if {you generally have/SP generally has} difficulty carrying out certain activities because {you are/s/he is} too sleepy or tired. When the words 'sleepy' or 'tired' are used, it means the feeling that {you/s/he} can't keep {your/his/her} eyes open, {your/his/her} head is droopy, that {you/s/he} want to 'nod off' or that {you feel/s/he feels} the urge to take a nap. The words do not refer to the tired or fatigued feeling {you/she} may have after {you have/s/he has} exercised. {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty concentrating on the things {you do/s/he does} because {you feel/s/he feels} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 61 61
2 No difficulty 4539 4600
3 Yes, a little difficulty 1266 5866
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 207 6073
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 58 6131
7 Refused 2 6133
9 Don't know 6 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ180 - Difficulty remembering when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ180
SAS Label:
Difficulty remembering when tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} generally have difficulty remembering things, because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 41 41
2 No difficulty 4895 4936
3 Yes, a little difficulty 965 5901
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 165 6066
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 59 6125
7 Refused 2 6127
9 Don't know 12 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ190 - Difficulty eating when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ190
SAS Label:
Difficulty eating when tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty finishing a meal because {you become/s/he becomes} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 27 27
2 No difficulty 5842 5869
3 Yes, a little difficulty 218 6087
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 39 6126
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 9 6135
7 Refused 2 6137
9 Don't know 2 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ200 - Difficulty with a hobby when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ200
SAS Label:
Difficulty with a hobby when tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty working on a hobby, for example, sewing, collecting, gardening, because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 232 232
2 No difficulty 5082 5314
3 Yes, a little difficulty 675 5989
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 108 6097
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 36 6133
7 Refused 2 6135
9 Don't know 4 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ210 - Difficulty getting things done?

Variable Name:
SLQ210
SAS Label:
Difficulty getting things done?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty getting things done because {you are/s/he is} too sleepy or tired to drive or take public transportation?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 292 292
2 No difficulty 5087 5379
3 Yes, a little difficulty 592 5971
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 120 6091
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 42 6133
7 Refused 3 6136
9 Don't know 3 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ220 - Difficulty with finance when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ220
SAS Label:
Difficulty with finance when tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty taking care of financial affairs and doing paperwork (for example, paying bills or keeping financial records) because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2 CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY IF AGE 16-19: '{Do you/Does s/he} have difficulty doing homework or paperwork, for example paying bills or keeping financial records, because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?'
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 305 305
2 No difficulty 4955 5260
3 Yes, a little difficulty 685 5945
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 145 6090
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 42 6132
7 Refused 3 6135
9 Don't know 4 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ230 - Difficulty at work because tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ230
SAS Label:
Difficulty at work because tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty performing employed or volunteer work because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2 CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY IF AGE 16-19: '{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty performing employed or volunteer work or attending school because {you are/s/he is} sleepy or tired?'
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 627 627
2 No difficulty 4883 5510
3 Yes, a little difficulty 494 6004
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 101 6105
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 30 6135
7 Refused 2 6137
9 Don't know 2 6139
. Missing 0 6139

SLQ240 - Difficulty on phone when tired?

Variable Name:
SLQ240
SAS Label:
Difficulty on phone when tired?
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} have difficulty maintaining a telephone conversation because {you become/s/he becomes} sleepy or tired?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD SLQ2
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Don't do this activity for other reasons 85 85
2 No difficulty 5390 5475
3 Yes, a little difficulty 537 6012
4 Yes, moderate difficulty 92 6104
5 Yes, extreme difficulty 32 6136
7 Refused 2 6138
9 Don't know 1 6139
. Missing 0 6139