Metabolic Syndrome and Sleep Duration Study

Short sleep time or long sleep time has been linked to metabolic syndrome.  This condition predisposes development of several things including diabetes, stroke and heart disease. These findings are found in a new study entitled, “Association between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study,” which was recently published in BMC Public Health.

The researchers at Seoul National University College of Medicine observed the connection between length of sleep and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome condition includes excessive fat around the waist as well as elevated blood sugar, blood pressure, and levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.

The study of 133,608 participants aged 40 to 69 ran from 2004 to 2013.  It was found that 29% of men and 24% of women had metabolic syndrome.  People who slept less than six hours or more than ten hours a day had the greatest risk of metabolic syndrome.

Claire E. Kim, the lead author, from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine, saw an association between metabolic syndrome and short sleep in men and metabolic syndrome and long sleep in women but felt that there was still a need for more research to find out why and how sleep is associated with metabolic syndrome. The researchers added that hormones could play a role in this association.

People with a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have significantly shortened sleep duration and resultant metabolic syndrome.  In fact, our office has treated physicians who were being treated for metabolic syndrome.  They just had OSA and after treatment with an oral device, they no longer had metabolic syndrome.

Remember, snoring/OSA are treatable.  Make an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your questions and see the treatment options that are available as well as how you can find out if your snoring is an indication that you have OSA.  Call our office at 208-667-4551.