Sleep and Metabolic Syndrome.
Eileen R Chasens, Christopher C Imes, Jacob K Kariuki and 6 others
PMID 34023116WHAT IT FOUND
Adults with metabolic syndrome often have sleep problems.
Sleeping 7 to 7.5 hours showed the lowest risk, while insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea were associated with metabolic syndrome. Ask about snoring, daytime sleepiness and medications; evidence that treating sleep improves metabolic syndrome is limited.
Key findings
01Sleep duration showed a U-shaped association with metabolic syndrome, with 7 to 7.5 hours per night showing the lowest risk.
02Insomnia independently increased the risk of metabolic syndrome in a Swedish sample (odds ratio 1.97, 95% CI 1.00-3.86).
03Metabolic syndrome coexisted in 60% of 146 patients with obstructive sleep apnea in a sleep-clinic sample, but OSA treatment has not consistently improved metabolic components.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review, not a new trial or systematic review, and the article does not describe a systematic search, eligibility criteria or data extraction. Most evidence is observational, so associations between sleep and metabolic syndrome do not show that changing sleep causes or treats metabolic syndrome. Intervention evidence is limited: sleep hygiene has not been evaluated for direct effects on metabolic syndrome, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has not been examined in people with metabolic syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea treatment has not consistently improved metabolic components. Findings for insomnia varied by age and sex: one Chinese sample found an association only in men and middle-aged adults, one French sample found an association only in women, and one postmenopausal Ecuadorian sample found no significant association. Metabolic syndrome prevalence estimates vary because different definitions are used.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that treating sleep problems will improve metabolic syndrome. The review shows associations, but it states sleep hygiene has not been evaluated for whether it directly improves metabolic syndrome, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has not been examined in people with metabolic syndrome, and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea has not consistently improved metabolic components.