Short Sleep Linked to Increased Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease: Study Findings and Recommendations

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A recent study published in the European Heart Journal Open suggests that there is a correlation between shorter sleep duration and an increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study, led by Shuai Yuan, Ph.D., from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, examined the associations of sleep duration and daytime napping with PAD risk in a cohort of 53,416 Swedish adults.

The findings were then replicated in two additional studies: a case-control study with 28,123 PAD cases and 128,459 controls from the Million Veteran Program (MVP), and a cohort of 452,028 individuals from the U.K. Biobank (UKB).

The researchers found a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and the risk for PAD. Compared to individuals with a sleep duration of seven to less than eight hours per night, those with shorter sleep (less than five hours) or longer sleep (at least eight hours) had a higher risk of incident PAD (hazard ratios of 1.74 and 1.24, respectively). The results of the MVP and UKB studies supported these findings. In addition, observational analysis revealed positive associations between daytime napping and PAD (hazard ratio of 1.32).

The study also used Mendelian randomization to assess the causal inference-based analyses of sleep-related traits and PAD among 31,307 PAD cases and 211,753 controls. The Mendelian randomization analysis supported an inverse association between sleep duration and PAD (odds ratio of 0.79 per hour increase) and an association between short sleep and increased PAD (odds ratio of 1.20).

Yuan emphasized the need for further research on how to interrupt the bidirectional link between short sleep and PAD, and suggested lifestyle changes such as being physically active to improve sleep quality and lower the risk of developing PAD. For patients with PAD, optimizing pain management could also help improve sleep quality.

Key Takeaways in a Nutshell – Health Newstrack

  • A recent study suggests that there is a correlation between shorter sleep duration and an increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD).
  • The study examined the associations of sleep duration and daytime napping with PAD risk in a cohort of 53,416 Swedish adults, and the findings were replicated in two additional studies.
  • The researchers found a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and the risk for PAD, with shorter and longer sleep durations both associated with increased risk.
  • Positive associations were also identified between daytime napping and PAD.
  • The study used Mendelian randomization to assess the causal inference-based analyses of sleep-related traits and PAD, which supported an inverse association between sleep duration and PAD and an association between short sleep and increased PAD.
  • The researchers emphasized the need for further research on how to interrupt the bidirectional link between short sleep and PAD and suggested lifestyle changes and pain management strategies for patients with PAD.

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