Characteristics of chronic insomniacs examined in a multicenter 14-day study of flurazepam and midazolam.

One hundred seven chronic insomniacs (41 men, 66 women; mean age, 37.9 years) with a history of use of benzodiazepines were recruited for a multicenter study testing the relative efficacy of flurazepam 15 mg or 30 mg, midazolam 15 mg, or placebo during a 14-day treatment period. Average duration of the complaint of insomnia was 13.5 years. Most (74%) of the patients met criteria for a diagnosis of persistent psychophysiological sleep disorder for both initiating and maintaining sleep.