Regular sleep could possibly be the important thing to stopping type 2 diabetes.
This is the conclusion reached by Boston researchers. They found that individuals with irregular sleep patterns have a better risk of developing type 2 diabetes than individuals with more regular sleep.
The study, led by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, examined sleep patterns over the course of seven nights after which followed the participants for seven years.
Brigham scientists discovered that irregular sleep duration is linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Those with essentially the most irregular sleep patterns had a 34% higher risk of diabetes than their peers, the researchers found.
“Our study identified a modifiable lifestyle factor that may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said Sina Kianersi, a research associate within the Channing Division of Network Medicine on the Brigham.
“Our results underscore the importance of consistent sleep patterns as a strategy to reduce type 2 diabetes,” added Kianersi.
Type 2 diabetes affects nearly half a billion people worldwide and is one among the highest 10 causes of death and disability. By 2050, the variety of individuals with type 2 diabetes is predicted to greater than double to 1.3 billion.
The latest study analyzed acceleration data from greater than 84,000 participants within the UK Biobank Study to analyze a possible link between sleep and sort 2 diabetes. Participants were on average 62 years old and initially diabetes-free.
They wore accelerometers – devices like watches that monitor movement – for seven nights. Participants were followed for about 7.5 years, with the event of diabetes tracked primarily through medical records.
The researchers found that more irregular sleep duration was related to a better risk of diabetes after controlling for quite a lot of risk aspects. Irregular sleep was defined as sleep duration that varied by greater than 60 minutes on average from day after day.
The data showed that participants with irregular sleep had a 34% higher risk of developing diabetes in comparison with participants with regular sleep patterns. The risk decreased but remained even when lifestyle, comorbidities, family history of diabetes and obesity indicators were taken under consideration.
“Our findings have the potential to improve diabetes prevention on several levels,” said Kianersi. “Clinically, they could lead to better patient care and treatment plans.”
“Public health guidelines could encourage regular sleep patterns,” the scientist added. “However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism and confirm the findings in other populations.”
Originally published:
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