Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Background: In the older GP population insomnia is a frequent underdiagnosed complaint. Many questionnaires or scales exist to explore insomnia. Unfortunately, no questionnaire is widely recognized as a screening tool for a general practitioner. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of questionnaires and scales used to evaluate sleep quality in people aged 65 and above. Moreover, to summarize which questionnaire to use as a diagnostic tool for elderly. Methods: PubMed was searched from 1 March 2012 to 30 June 2021 for studies published in English and Dutch. A systematic literature search was conducted by two independent researchers. The quality assessment was conducted using the Quadas-2 tool. Reliability of the studies was reviewed by assessing Cronbach’s α. Validity was evaluated of all included articles by analysing content, construct or criterion validity. To determine usefulness each sleep questionnaire as screening tool sensitivity and specificity was evaluated. Results: Only 4 new articles after previous review that were published met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale, Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ-C) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were studied for reliability, validity. They showed all adequate internal consistency. The sleep questionnaires were validated in the elderly population. All new sleep questionnaires need more investigation for use as a diagnostic screening tool. Conclusion: Most sleep questionnaires lack investigation for use as a screening tool. The Insomnia in the Elderly Scale and the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale are most promising but need more reproducibility to confirm current results.