Self-reported short and long sleep duration, sleep debt and insomnia are associated with several types of infections: Results from the Norwegian practice-based research network in general practice - PraksisNett.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess the association between self-reported infections and sleep duration, sleep debt, chronic insomnia, and insomnia severity.

METHODS

In total, 1023 participants were recruited from the Norwegian practice-based research network in general practice to a cross-sectional online survey with validated questions about sleep habits and insomnia symptoms (Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)), and whether they had experienced various infections during the last three months. Data were analyzed with chi-square tests and logistic regressions with adjustment for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Self-reported short sleep duration (<6 h) was significantly associated with increased odds of throat infection (OR = 1.60), ear infection (OR = 2.92), influenzalike illness (OR = 1.81) and gastrointestinal infection (OR = 1.91) whereas long sleep duration (>9 h) was associated with increased odds of throat (OR = 3.33) and ear infections (OR = 5.82), compared to sleep duration of 6-9 h, respectively. Sleep debt of >2 h was associated with increased odds of the common cold (OR = 1.67), throat infection (OR = 2.58), ear infection (OR = 2.84), sinusitis (OR = 2.15), pneumonia/bronchitis (OR = 3.97), influenzalike illness (OR = 2.66), skin infection (OR = 2.15), and gastrointestinal infection (OR = 2.80), compared to no sleep debt. Insomnia (based on BIS and ISI) was associated with throat infection (OR = 2.06, 2.55), ear infection (OR = 2.43, 2.45), sinusitis (OR = 1.82, 1.80), pneumonia/bronchitis (OR = 2.23, 3.59), influenzalike illness (OR = 1.77, 1.90), skin infection (OR = 1.64, 2.06), gastrointestinal infection (OR = 1.94, 3.23), and eye infection (OR = 1.99, 2.95).

CONCLUSIONS

These novel findings support the notion that people who have insufficient sleep or sleep problems are at increased risk of infections.