Evaluating the causal connections between sleep duration and disease prevalence: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies.

BACKGROUND

The causal link between sleep duration and diverse health conditions remains unconfirmed. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify these relationships by synthesizing Mendelian randomization (MR) study evidence.

METHODS

PubMed was systematically searched up to February 15, 2024, for MR studies exploring genetic predispositions to sleep duration/insomnia (short/long/overall sleep duration, insomnia) and associations with circulatory, digestive, neurodegenerative, metabolic diseases, and cancers. Eligible effect estimates were meta-analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty-one MR studies were included. Genetic variations in sleep traits were strongly linked to elevated risk of 12 cardiovascular diseases, obesity-related metrics (Type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose/insulin, HbA1c), neurological disorders (Alzheimer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease), mental health conditions (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia), inflammatory bowel disease, and lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

Genetic evidence confirms causal associations between sleep characteristics and multiple diseases, emphasizing sleep's key role in health promotion and supporting personalized sleep management to reduce disease risk.