Investigation of the relationships between sleep behaviors and risk of healthspan termination: a prospective cohort study based on 323,373 UK-Biobank participants

Objectives To examine the associations between four sleep behaviors and the risk of healthspan termination. Methods This study included 323,373 participants, free of terminated healthspan at baseline, from the UK-Biobank (UKB). We applied multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models to estimate the risk of terminated healthspan based on four sleep behaviors (insomnia/sleeplessness, napping, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty getting up from bed), which were self-reported and measured on Likert scales from usually to never/rarely experiences. In this study, healthspan was defined based on eight events that are strongly associated with longevity (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and death). Results Participants who reported the following unhealthy sleep behaviors had a significantly higher risk of terminated healthspan: usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; P < 0.001); usually nap (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.18-1.26; P < 0.01); excessive daytime sleepiness (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.19-1.32; P < 0.001); and difficult getting up from bed (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10; P < 0.001). The corresponding population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) indicated that about 7% of healthspan termination in this cohort would have been eliminated if all participants had healthy sleep behaviors. Conclusion Participants who reported usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia, usually nap, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficult getting up from bed had increased risk of shortened healthspan. Therefore, adherence to healthy sleep behavior is significant for the extension of healthspan.

Automated summary

The study found that unhealthy sleep behaviors like insomnia, napping, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty getting up from bed are associated with an increased risk of shortened healthspan. Adherence to healthy sleep behavior is significant for extending healthspan.