A recent study found that middle-aged to older adults who have inconsistent sleep schedules are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with regular sleep patterns.
New research suggests that maintaining a consistent sleep schedule may help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted a study where they analyzed the sleep patterns of participants over seven nights and followed them for more than seven years. The study revealed that irregular sleep durations were linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Individuals with highly irregular sleep patterns were found to have a 34% higher risk of diabetes compared to those with more stable sleep patterns. These findings, published in Diabetes Care, emphasize the importance of consistent sleep patterns in diabetes prevention.
Lead author of the study, Sina Kianersi, PhD, emphasized, “Our research has identified a lifestyle factor that can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consistent sleep patterns play a crucial role in reducing the risk of diabetes.”
Type 2 diabetes currently affects nearly half a billion individuals globally and is a leading cause of death and disability. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is projected to double to 1.3 billion by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for effective diabetes prevention strategies.
The study analyzed data from over 84,000 participants in the UK Biobank Study using accelerometry to explore the association between sleep patterns and type 2 diabetes. The participants, with an average age of 62 years and mostly free of diabetes at the beginning of the study, wore accelerometers to monitor their movement for seven nights. Follow-up assessments were conducted over approximately 7.5 years to track the development of diabetes.
The study aimed to address two main questions: whether irregular sleep patterns contribute to diabetes development through circadian disruptions and sleep disturbances, and whether this association varies based on genetic predisposition to diabetes.
The researchers found that irregular sleep duration was associated with a higher risk of diabetes even after adjusting for various risk factors. This association was more significant in individuals with longer sleep duration and a lower genetic risk score for diabetes.
Participants with irregular sleep patterns, where the duration varied by more than 60 minutes on average each day, had a 34% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with regular sleep patterns. This risk remained even after accounting for lifestyle factors, existing health conditions, family history of diabetes, and obesity markers.
While the study had some limitations, such as incomplete lifestyle data and short-term sleep pattern assessment, the results suggest a clear link between irregular sleep patterns and higher diabetes risk that warrants further investigation.
The researchers intend to expand their study to include participants from younger age groups and more diverse racial backgrounds to better understand the relationship between sleep irregularity and diabetes risk.
Kianersi concluded, “Our findings hold promise for advancing diabetes prevention efforts both in clinical settings and public health guidelines. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into the mechanisms behind this association and validate the results in broader populations.”
