How Prevalent Is Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnea? September 21, 2026 How Prevalent Is Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnea (COMISA)? Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are two of the most common sleep disorders, but they do not always occur separately. When someone experiences both conditions at the same time, it is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA. Research suggests this combination is surprisingly common and may have a greater impact on health and quality of life than either condition alone. How common is COMISA? Australian sleep experts estimate that around 30 to 40% of people with insomnia also have OSA, while approximately 30 to 50% of people with OSA experience clinically significant insomnia symptoms.1 In the general population, up to 10% of Australian adults are thought to have COMISA.2 What does COMISA look like? Insomnia typically involves difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently during the night or waking too early and struggling to return to sleep. OSA occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, which can cause snoring, interruptions to breathing and choking or gasping awakenings. Because the conditions share some symptoms, COMISA is not always obvious. Someone might experience restless, fragmented sleep and assume insomnia is the only problem, without realising that breathing interruptions are also waking them throughout the night.2 Other signs that may suggest OSA include loud snoring, non-refreshing sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Importantly, some people with OSA do not experience obvious symptoms. Why does recognising both conditions matter? People with COMISA can experience poorer sleep, daytime fatigue, concentration difficulties and reduced quality of life compared with people who have either condition alone.2 Research has also associated COMISA with poorer general health and increased co-existing medical conditions.2 Recognising both conditions is also important for treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment for insomnia in people with COMISA, while continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) is recommended for OSA.2 Many people with COMISA require treatment for both conditions. If you regularly struggle to fall or stay asleep, particularly alongside snoring, gasping or persistent daytime sleepiness, speak with your doctor. Assessing for both insomnia and sleep apnea can help uncover what is really disrupting your sleep and guide you towards the most appropriate treatment. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 100 clinics nationwide. At Sove, we help patients understand what's really affecting their sleep. Our team of Sleep and Respiratory Physicians, together with our Treatment Consultants, are here to guide and support you every step of the way with face-to-face and telehealth consultations. We offer bulk-billed home sleep studies for eligible patients to assess for obstructive sleep apnoea, and if sleep apnoea isn't the cause - or insomnia is occurring alongside it - we also provide personalised, evidence-based care to help you find the treatment approach that's right for you. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all eligible Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References 1. “newsGP - How to Treat Co-Existing Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea.” NewsGP, 2023, https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/how-to-treat-co-existing-insomnia-and-sleep-apnoea. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026. 2) Sleep Health Foundation. “Co-Morbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea.” Sleephealthfoundation.Org.Au, Sleep Health Foundation, 19 Feb. 2025, https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/co-morbid-insomnia-and-sleep-apnoea. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
