Sleep duration and emerging cardiometabolic risk markers in adolescents. The AFINOS Study

Abstract Objective To examine the associations between sleep duration and emerging inflammatory and endothelial function risk factors in adolescents. Methods This study included a total of 183 (88 girls) adolescents, aged 13–17 years, without diagnosed sleep-related disorders. White blood cell counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors 3 and 4, interleukin-6, adiponectin, leptin, inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, l -selectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were measured. Sleep duration and sleep-related disorders were obtained by self-report and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was objectively measured by accelerometer. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and weight. Results A significant inverse association between sleep duration and CRP ( β = −0.17, P = 0.024) existed only after controlling for sex, age, and pubertal status. The results did not change when MVPA was included into the model. However, the association of sleep duration with CRP was slightly attenuated when BMI was included in the model, though it remained significant ( β = −0.15, P = 0.044). Conclusion Short sleep duration during adolescence might play an important and independent role in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases through CRP.