A recent study published in Health Data Science analyzed sleep data from over 88,000 adults in the UK Biobank and found significant associations between irregular sleep patterns and a high risk of various diseases. The research, led by teams from Peking University and Army Medical University, highlights the importance of consistent bedtime routines and stable circadian rhythms in maintaining good health.
Researchers used actigraphy data collected over an average of 6.8 years to identify 92 diseases with at least 20% of their risk attributed to poor sleep behavior. Specifically, irregular bedtimes after midnight were linked to a higher risk of liver cirrhosis, while low interdaily stability was associated with an increased risk of gangrene.
The study challenges previous claims that long sleep (more than 9 hours) is harmful and suggests that misclassification may be the cause. In reality, many “long sleepers” actually spend less than six hours sleeping.
According to Prof. Shengfeng Wang, senior author of the study, “Our findings underscore the overlooked importance of sleep regularity.” The team plans to explore causality and assess the impact of sleep interventions on chronic disease outcomes in future research.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1092226