Irregular sleep durations are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Individuals with the most irregular sleep patterns have a 34% higher diabetes risk than those with consistent sleep. The findings, published in Diabetes Care, underscore the importance of regular sleep for diabetes prevention.
“Our study identified a modifiable lifestyle factor that can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Sina Kianersi, PhD, a research fellow in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Our findings underscore the importance of consistent sleep patterns as a strategy to reduce type 2 diabetes.”
THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type 2 diabetes affects nearly half a billion people worldwide and ranks among the top 10 leading causes of death and disability. By 2050, the number of people with type 2 diabetes is expected to more than double to 1.3 billion. This alarming situation highlights the urgent need for innovative diabetes prevention strategies.
STUDY METHODOLOGY AND PARTICIPANT DATA
The study analyzed accelerometry data from over 84,000 participants in the UK Biobank Study to investigate the association between sleep and type 2 diabetes. Participants, with an average age of 62 years (57% female, 97% white), were initially free of diabetes. They wore accelerometers—devices like watches that monitor movement—for seven nights. The participants were followed for approximately 7.5 years, with diabetes development tracked mostly through medical records.
The study aimed to answer two key questions:
- Do irregular sleep durations promote diabetes development through circadian disruption and sleep disturbances?
- Does this association vary based on genetic predispositions to diabetes?
SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND RISK FACTORS
The investigators found that more irregular sleep duration was associated with a higher diabetes risk after adjusting for various risk factors. This association was more pronounced in individuals with longer sleep duration and a lower polygenic risk score for diabetes. Compared to participants with regular sleep patterns, those with irregular sleep (where day-to-day sleep duration varied by more than 60 minutes on average) had a 34% higher risk of developing diabetes. This risk persisted even after accounting for lifestyle, co-morbidities, family history of diabetes, and obesity indicators.
LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
There were some limitations to the study. Certain lifestyle information was collected up to five years before the accelerometer study began, which might have affected the accuracy of the results. Additionally, the assessment of sleep duration based on 7-days may not capture long-term sleep patterns. The study participants were primarily healthy, older, and white, which may not represent outcomes for more diverse populations.
The researchers plan to study younger age groups and more diverse racial backgrounds. They are also interested in exploring the biological reasons why sleep irregularity increases the risk of diabetes.
IMPLICATIONS FOR DIABETES PREVENTION
“Our findings have the potential to improve diabetes prevention on multiple levels,” said Kianersi. “Clinically, they might inform better patient care and treatment plans. Public health guidelines could promote regular sleep patterns. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism and confirm the results in other populations.”