In France, nearly 3.5 million people are treated for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is widely represented, with nearly 90% of cases. As a reminder, this disease is characterized “by the presence of excess sugar in the blood, called hyperglycemia”writes Health Public France. In the event of a diagnosis, certain hygiene and dietary measures must be put in place in consultation with the doctor. This particularly concerns diet and physical activity. But another factor might also be to be taken into account.
Researchers at Odense University Hospital in Denmark believe that the sleep duration could play a role in the risk of microvascular complications, meaning it impacts small blood vessels, in people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. According to their results, having too short or too long nights could increase the risk of complications associated with type 2 diabetes. This study, which has not yet been published, will be presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), which will take place from September 9 to 13. Its results have already been presented in a press release.
Sleeping less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours would increase the risk of microvascular diseases
As the researchers explain in the press release, “microvascular complications, such as retinopathy and nephropathy, contribute significantly to complications associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D)”The researchers therefore wanted to measure the effects of sleep duration.
To do this, they analyzed the sleep duration of 396 participants who had had type 2 diabetes for an average of just over three years. For 10 days, they had to wear a device capable of measuring the duration and quality of sleep. Short sleep was less than 7 hours and long sleep was more than 9 hours. The optimal sleep duration was between 7 and 9 hours.
Researchers call for adapting sleep recommendations for type 2 diabetics
According to the study results, 38% of people with short nights had microvascular lesions. The percentage was 18% and 31% in people with optimal sleep duration and long sleep duration. The researchers therefore found that participants who slept less than 7 hours had a 2.6 times higher risk of microvascular disease than those who slept seven to nine hours. For people who slept more than 9 hours, the risk was increased by 2.3.
Certain factors could also influence the risk. In fact, according to specialists, the risk of microvascular lesions linked to a short duration of sleep is particularly pronounced in people aged 62 and over, while in younger people, this risk is lower.
Also, researchers believe that “Lifestyle changes in patients with type 2 diabetes may include sleep interventions”. However, they call for further studies. “to establish the role of sleep duration and quality in these patients”.
Sources :
- Short and long sleep duration associated with blood vessel damage in those recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (communiqué) (11/07/2024)
- Public Health France – Diabetes
