This study investigates the associations between self-reported sleep quality and biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation, which are connected to coronary heart disease.

 

 

The Issue:

Evidence suggests that disturbed sleep is a biological risk factor for the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). 

 

Key Findings:

• Overall, subjective sleep quality is unrelated to inflammatory markers in both cross-sectional and prospective analysis among the sample.
• Poorer subjective sleep quality at baseline was associated with five-year increases in women, however, when adjusting for age, ethnicity, education, body mass index, and regular snoring.
• Specifically, women who noted a tendency to “wake up far too early” as a sleep disturbance at baseline was associated with five-year increase in IL-6 and some elevation in fibrinogen.

 

About the Study:

This is a cross-sectional and prospective study of Heart and Soul Study participants from two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in California. Subjective sleep quality was measured using a single item from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and biomarkers were tested. The PSQI subjective sleep quality was compared at baseline and at five-years in biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation, specifically IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen, in men and women with stable CHD. Participants (980) were assessed at baseline and 626 at the five-year follow-up.

 

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that inflammation may be a way through which disturbed sleep contributes to CHD progression in women. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.