The Relationship between Alcohol Drinking Patterns and Sleep Duration among Black and White Men and Women in the United States

Association of Sleep Quality and General, Mental, and Oral Health with Lifestyle Traits (Dietary Intake, Smoking Status) in Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)

Arthritis is associated with health challenges. Lifestyle traits are believed to influence arthritis development and progression; however, data to support personalized treatment regimens based on holistic lifestyle factors are missing. This study aims to provide a comprehensive list of associations between lifestyle traits and the health status of individuals with arthritis in the Canadian population, using binary logistic regression analysis on data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, which includes 104,359 respondents. Firstly, we explored the association between arthritis and various aspects of health status including self-reported lifestyle factors. Secondly, we examined the associations between self-reported dietary intake and smoking status with general, mental, and oral health, and sleep disturbance among individuals both with and without arthritis. Our analysis revealed that individuals with arthritis reported considerably poorer general, mental, and oral health, and poorer sleep quality compared to those without arthritis. Associations were also found between self-reported dietary intake and various measures of health status in individuals with arthritis. Smoking and exposure to passive smoking were associated not only with arthritis but also with compromised sleep quality and poorer general, mental, and oral health in people with and without arthritis. This study highlights the need for personalized and holistic approaches that may include a combination of dietary interventions, oral health improvements, sleep therapies, and smoking cessation for improved arthritis prevention and care.

Sleep-Related Predictors of Risk for Alcohol Use and Related Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults

PURPOSE

Growing evidence supports sleep and circadian rhythms as influencing alcohol use and the course of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Studying sleep/circadian-alcohol associations during adolescence and young adulthood may be valuable for identifying sleep/circadian-related approaches to preventing and/or treating AUD. This paper reviews current evidence for prospective associations between sleep/circadian factors and alcohol involvement during adolescence and young adulthood with an emphasis on the effects of sleep/circadian factors on alcohol use.

SEARCH METHODS

The authors conducted a literature search in PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science using the search terms "sleep" and "alcohol" paired with "adolescent" or "adolescence" or "young adult" or "emerging adult," focusing on the title/abstract fields, and restricting to English-language articles. Next, the search was narrowed to articles with a prospective/longitudinal or experimental design, a sleep-related measure as a predictor, an alcohol-related measure as an outcome, and confirming a primarily adolescent and/or young adult sample. This step was completed by a joint review of candidate article abstracts by two of the authors.

SEARCH RESULTS

The initial search resulted in 720 articles. After review of the abstracts, the list was narrowed to 27 articles reporting on observational longitudinal studies and three articles reporting on intervention trials. Noted for potential inclusion were 35 additional articles that reported on studies with alcohol-related predictors and sleep-related outcomes, and/or reported on candidate moderators or mediators of sleep-alcohol associations. Additional articles were identified via review of relevant article reference lists and prior exposure based on the authors' previous work in this area.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the review supports a range of sleep/circadian characteristics during adolescence and young adulthood predicting the development of alcohol use and/or alcohol-related problems. Although sleep treatment studies in adolescents and young adults engaging in regular and/or heavy drinking show that sleep can be improved in those individuals, as well as potentially reducing alcohol craving and alcohol-related consequences, no studies in any age group have yet demonstrated that improving sleep reduces drinking behavior. Notable limitations include relatively few longitudinal studies and only two experimental studies, insufficient consideration of different assessment timescales (e.g., day-to-day vs. years), insufficient consideration of the multidimensional nature of sleep, a paucity of objective measures of sleep and circadian rhythms, and insufficient consideration of how demographic variables may influence sleep/circadian-alcohol associations. Examining such moderators, particularly those related to minoritized identities, as well as further investigation of putative mechanistic pathways linking sleep/circadian characteristics to alcohol outcomes, are important next steps.

Association between alcohol consumption and sleep traits: observational and mendelian randomization studies in the UK biobank

Previous studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with poor sleep. However, the health risks of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption in relation to sleep traits (e.g., insomnia, snoring, sleep duration and chronotype) remain undefined, and their causality is still unclear in the general population. To identify the association between alcohol consumption and multiple sleep traits using an observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Observational analyses and one-sample MR (linear and nonlinear) were performed using clinical and individual-level genetic data from the UK Biobank (UKB). Two-sample MR was assessed using summary data from genome-wide association studies from the UKB and other external consortia. Phenotype analyses were externally validated using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2018). Data analysis was conducted from January 2022 to October 2022. The association between alcohol consumption and six self-reported sleep traits (short sleep duration, long sleep duration, chronotype, snoring, waking up in the morning, and insomnia) were analysed. This study included 383,357 UKB participants (mean [SD] age, 57.0 [8.0] years; 46% male) who consumed a mean (SD) of 9.0 (10.0) standard drinks (one standard drink equivalent to 14 g of alcohol) per week. In the observational analyses, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with all sleep traits. Light-moderate-heavy alcohol consumption was linearly linked to snoring and the evening chronotype but nonlinearly associated with insomnia, sleep duration, and napping. In linear MR analyses, a 1-SD (14 g) increase in genetically predicted alcohol consumption was associated with a 1.14-fold (95% CI, 1.07-1.22) higher risk of snoring (P < 0.001), a 1.28-fold (95% CI, 1.20-1.37) higher risk of evening chronotype (P < 0.001) and a 1.24-fold (95% CI, 1.13-1.36) higher risk of difficulty waking up in the morning (P < 0.001). Nonlinear MR analyses did not reveal significant results after Bonferroni adjustment. The results of the two-sample MR analyses were consistent with those of the one-sample MR analyses, but with a slightly attenuated overall estimate. Our findings suggest that even low levels of alcohol consumption may affect sleep health, particularly by increasing the risk of snoring and evening chronotypes. The negative effects of alcohol consumption on sleep should be made clear to the public in order to promote public health.

Sleep Duration and Bedtime in the PURE Poland Cohort Study and the Link with Noncommunicable Diseases

(1) Background: The objective was to investigate the association between sleep duration, bedtime, and noncommunicable diseases in the PURE Poland cohort study. (2) Methods: The baseline study was conducted in 2007-2010. The study group comprised 2023 adult inhabitants of urban and rural areas in Lower Silesia, Poland. The study protocol included questionnaires, blood pressure measurements, blood draws, and anthropometric measurements. Sleep duration and bedtime were self-reported. (3) Results: The median sleep duration of women was 30 min longer than men (8 h vs. 7.5 h; p = 0.001). The average time of sleep increased along with the age of the participants. A sleep duration of >8 h was more common in rural than in urban participants (40.2% vs. 27.1%; respectively; p < 0.001). The relative risk of diabetes, stroke, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and obesity was significantly higher in participants who went to bed between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. in comparison to those who went to bed between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. (RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.06-4.67; RR 2.52, 95% CI 1.28 to 4.97; RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20; RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.1-1.68; RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.15-1.66, respectively). The relative risk of respiratory diseases was two-fold higher in those who went to bed after midnight in comparison to those who went to bed between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. (RR 2.24; 95% CI 1.19-4.22). (4) Conclusions: In our study, an earlier bedtime was associated with a higher risk of diabetes, stroke, obesity, hypertension, and CVD.

Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and associated risk factors in UK Biobank participants with hazardous alcohol use and major depression

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to examine the prevalence of insomnia symptoms (IS), sleep duration, and associated risk factors in participants with hazardous/harmful alcohol use (HAU), major depressive disorders (MDD), and HAU+MDD.

METHODS

Data from the UK Biobank (UKB) (n = 55,000) were utilized to categorize participants into those with MDD (n = 5612), HAU (n = 15,893), MDD+HAU (n = 3738), and controls (n = 29,511). We examined whether rates of IS and sleep duration differed among the groups and determined the clinical predictors of IS. Rates of IS and sleep duration were compared using regression analyses accounting for demographic (age, sex, ethnicity, Townsend deprivation index) and clinical (body mass index, neuroticism score, alcohol consumption) factors.

RESULTS

The unadjusted prevalence of IS was 26.5%, 27%, 39.5%, and 43% in control, HAU, MDD, and MDD+HAU categories respectively. Rates of IS in controls versus HAU and MDD versus MDD+HAU did not differ in unadjusted models (p = 0.45 and 0.075, respectively). Prevalence of IS differed in the four groups (p < 0.0001 for all pairwise comparisons) after adjusting for demographic confounders. After further adjustment for clinical factors, effect sizes were reduced, but pairwise comparisons remained significant. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, sleep duration did not differ among the groups. After accounting for diagnostic category and demographic/clinical factors, older age (OR=1.33 per 10 year increase; p < 0.0001), female sex (OR=1.39; p < 0.0001), obesity (OR=1.17 compared to normal; p < 0.0001), higher neuroticism score (OR=1.13; p < 0.0001), and alcohol consumption (OR=1.01 per serving increase; p < 0.0001) were associated with IS.

CONCLUSION

Sleep-related morbidity is the greatest in the MDD+HAU group, followed by the MDD group. Demographic and clinical characteristics explain some, but not all of the differences in the prevalence of IS in MDD±HAU. Genetic and other factors capable of influencing IS in those with MDD, HAU, and MDD+HAU merit future investigation.

Associations of environment and lifestyle factors with suboptimal health status: a population-based cross-sectional study in urban China

INTRODUCTION

Suboptimal health status (SHS), an intermediate state between chronic disease and health, is characterized by chronic fatigue, non-specific pain, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, depression, and functional system disorders with a high prevalence worldwide. Although some lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, physical exercise) and environmental factors (e.g. air quality, noise, living conditions) have already been studied, few studies can comprehensively illustrate the associations of lifestyle and environment factors with general, physical, mental, and social SHS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 6750 urban residents aged 14 years or over in five random cities from September 2017 to September 2018 through face-to-face questionnaires. There were 5881 valid questionnaires with a response rate of 87%. A general linear model and structural equation model were developed to quantify the effects of lifestyle behaviors and environment factors on SHS.

RESULTS

The detection rates of general, physical, mental, and social SHS were 66.7, 67.0, 65.5, and 70.0%, respectively. Good lifestyle behaviors and favorable environment factors positively affected SHS (P < 0.001). Lifestyle behaviors had the largest effect on physical SHS (β = - 0.418), but the least on social SHS (β = - 0.274). Environment factors had the largest effect on mental SHS (β = 0.286), but the least on physical SHS (β = 0.225).

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle behaviors and environment factors were important influencing factors of SHS. Physical SHS was more associated with lifestyle. Lifestyle and environment were similarly associated with mental and social SHS.

A scoping review of racial/ethnic disparities in sleep

BACKGROUND

Despite remarkable achievements in ensuring health equity, racial/ethnic disparities in sleep still persist and are emerging as a major area of concern. Accumulating evidence has not yet been well characterized from a broad perspective. We conducted a scoping review of studies on sleep disparities by race/ethnicity to summarize characteristics of existing studies and identify evidence gaps.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for studies of racial/ethnic disparities in sleep. Studies that met inclusion criteria were retrieved and organized in a data charting form by study design, sleep measuring methods, sleep features, and racial/ethnic comparisons.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen studies were included in this review. Most studies focused on disparities between Whites and Blacks. Disproportionately fewer studies examined disparities for Hispanic, Asian, and other racial/ethnic groups. Self-reported sleep was most frequently used. Sleep duration, overall sleep quality, and sleep disordered breathing were frequently studied, whereas other features including sleep efficiency, latency, continuity, and architecture were understudied, particularly in racial minority groups in the US. Current study findings on racial/ethnic disparities in most of sleep features is mixed and inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified significant evidence gaps in racial/ethnic disparities research on sleep. Our results suggest a need for more studies examining diverse sleep features using standardized and robust measuring methods for more valid comparisons of sleep health in diverse race/ethnicity groups.

Superwomen and Sleep: an Assessment of Black College Women Across the African Diaspora

BACKGROUND

Women and racial/ethnic minority groups in the U.S. report poor sleep health. While stress and alcohol use may contribute to sleep problems, few studies have examined the roles of stress and alcohol use on sleep among Black college women. Gender-racial ideology of Black womanhood may also play a role in sleep. This exploratory study sought to examine the relationships between stress, alcohol, ethnic-gender identity, and sleep.

METHOD

Guided by the biopsychosocial model and intersectionality theory, a cross-sectional study design recruited undergraduate women (18-24 years) attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) who self-identified as Black (N = 110). Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale, Alcohol Use Disorders Test, and Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine independent and multiple effects of stress, alcohol, and ethnic-gender identity on insomnia and sleep quality.

RESULTS

Participants (mean age 19.4 years) represented diverse ethnic groups, 53% American, 25% African, and 20% Caribbean. Nearly 23% reported moderate to severe levels of insomnia. Scores from the Perceived Stress Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Test, and the Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire were independently associated with insomnia and sleep quality. In multivariate analyses, only perceived stress exhibited a significant association with insomnia and sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study demonstrated that stress, excessive alcohol use, and ethnic-gender identity have relational impact on sleep health. Yet, stress may have greater importance and further research is needed to explore factors that mediated the relationship between stress and sleep.

Alcohol consumption and incidence of sleep disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and incidence of sleep disorder.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and OVID were searched systematically until March 2020 for cohort studies quantitatively investigating the effect of alcohol on incident sleep disorder. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the summary ORs (odds ratios) and 95 %CIs (confidence intervals) on the incidence of sleep disorder in relation to alcohol consumption.

RESULTS

The pooled analysis of eleven included cohort studies demonstrated that general drinking was significantly associated with incidence of sleep disorder (OR:1.37, 95 %CI:1.22,1.54,I² = 0.0 %) while heavy drinking was not (OR:1.22, 95 %CI:0.94,1.60, I² = 81.1 %). (general drinking (women <24 g/day; men <48 g/day; < 4 times/week), heavy drinking (women ≥24 g/day; men ≥48 g/day; ≥ 4times/week)).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from the present systematic review and meta-analyses showed that there was no evidence that alcohol consumption diminished sleep problems, and some evidence that general drinking might increase the sleep problems, but further study is necessary.

The association between alcohol consumption and sleep disorders among older people in the general population

The relationship between alcohol consumption and sleep disturbance is complex. The association of alcohol dependence with insomnia is likely to be bidirectional in nature. Alcohol use is common among older people in many societies and the prevalence of insomnia tends to increase with age, therefore this group warrants particular consideration. We explored the cross sectional and long term (30 years) associations between alcohol drinking (volume and hazardous drinking) and sleep duration and insomnia in a general population study of older adults (6,117 male and female civil servants followed for 30 years). For men, drinking more than 21 units (approximately 168 grams) of alcohol per week, compared with not drinking, was associated with waking several times a night (odds ratio 1.30, confidence intervals 1.02–1.66). Men who maintained a heavy volume of drinking over the three decades of observation, or who had an unstable consumption pattern, tended to have worse sleep profiles in terms of waking tired and waking several times. Sustained male hazardous drinking (as measured by the AUDIT-C scale) was also associated with worse sleep profiles. Findings for women were not so clear. In this population based setting, drinking high volumes of alcohol may contribute to the prevalence of sleep problems in older age, particularly for men. People in this age group should be discouraged from using alcohol as a sleep aid.

Evening intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine: night-to-night associations with sleep duration and continuity among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We examined the night-to-night associations of evening use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine with actigraphically estimated sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) among a large cohort of African American adults.

METHODS

Participants in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study underwent wrist actigraphy for an average of 6.7 nights and completed concurrent daily sleep diary assessments to record any consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine within 4 hours of bedtime. Linear mixed-effect models were fit and adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment, body mass index, depression, anxiety, stress, and having work/school the next day.

RESULTS

Eligible participants (n = 785) were an average of 63.7 years (SD: 10.6), and were predominantly female (67.9%). There were 5164 days of concurrent actigraphy and sleep diary data. Evening alcohol use was associated with that night's lower sleep efficiency (-0.98% [95% CI: -1.67% to -0.29%], p = 0.005), but not with WASO or sleep duration. Evening nicotine use was associated with that night's lower sleep efficiency [1.74% (95% CI: -2.79 to -0.68), p = 0.001] and 6.09 minutes higher WASO ([95% CI: 0.82 to 11.35], p = 0.02), but was not associated with sleep duration. Evening caffeine use was not associated with any of the sleep parameters.

CONCLUSION

Nicotine and alcohol use within 4 hours of bedtime were associated with increased sleep fragmentation in the associated night, even after controlling for multiple potential confounders. These findings support the importance of sleep health recommendations that promote the restriction of evening alcohol and nicotine use to improve sleep continuity.

Sleep Quality and Its Associated Factors among Low-Income Adults in a Rural Area of China: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

There is limited population-based research focusing on sleep quality among low-income Chinese adults in rural areas. This study aimed to assess sleep quality among low-income adults in a rural area in China and identify the association between sleep quality and sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors.

METHODS

The study was conducted from September to November in 2017 using a cross-sectional survey questionnaire. A total of 6905 participants were recruited via multistage, stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Chinese versions of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Food Frequency Questionnaire, while we also determined the sociodemographic profiles of the participants.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample was 58.71 ± 14.50 years, with 59.7% being male, while the mean duration of daily sleep was 5.95 ± 1.31 h, with 56.7% reportedly experiencing poor sleep quality. Multiple regression analysis revealed that older age, unemployment, lower income, disability and chronic disease comorbidities were significant factors associated with an increased risk of poor sleep quality for both genders. Moreover, married and higher education level were associated with decreased risk of poor sleep quality for females, while a meat-heavy diet and illness during the past two weeks increased the risk of poor sleep quality for males.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors had an impact on the frequently poor sleep quality of low-income Chinese adults in rural areas. Thus, comprehensive measures must be developed to address the modifiable predictive factors that can possibly enhance sleep quality.