0271 Sleep Disturbances Associated with Increased Risk of Mortality: UK Biobank Study

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2018-04, Vol.41 (suppl_1), p.A104-A105
• Main Authors: Knutson, K, Ong, J, von Schantz, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Health risk assessment; Mortality; Sleep deprivation
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy061.270

Abstract Introduction Inadequate sleep has been associated with increased prevalence and incidence of a variety of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some characteristics of sleep, such as sleep duration, have also been associated with increased mortality risk. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether sleep disturbances were associated with mortality in a large cohort study in the United Kingdom. Methods The UK Biobank is a prospective, population-based cohort study designed to investigate risk factors for major diseases of middle and older age. It enrolled 502,642 people aged 37–73 years (53% women) from across the UK. Mean follow-up time was 6.5 years. Primary outcomes were all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Primary exposure was “sleep disturbances”, based on the question, “Do you have trouble falling asleep at night or do you wake up in the middle of the night”. Responses were never/rarely, sometimes or usually. Cox proportional hazard models were used adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body mass index and depression. Results The frequency of sleep disturbances was “never/rarely” for 24.1%, “sometimes” for 47.7% and “usually” for 28.2% of the sample. Compared to those who never/rarely had sleep disturbances, risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in those who sometimes (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.12) or usually (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.21–1.34) had sleep disturbances. Risk of cancer mortality was also higher in those who sometimes (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.15) or usually (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.16–1.33) had sleep disturbances. Those who usually had sleep disturbances were also at increased risk of CVD mortality (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.30). Conclusion Sleep disturbances were common in this cohort; only one-quarter reported never/rarely having sleep disturbances. Age-adjusted mortality risk was significantly higher in those who reported sleep disturbances. Reducing sleep disturbances could have a significant public health impact. Support (If Any) University of Surrey Institute of Advanced Studies Santander Fellowship