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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
10:16
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
Influence of nocturnal asthma on chronotype
Erica Ferraz1, Marcos C Borges, Elcio O Vianna
1Department of Medicine, University of São Paulo Medical School at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Summary
Asthma patients with nocturnal symptoms show a different chronotype distribution, with fewer morning types and more indifferent types compared to those without night symptoms. This study reveals how asthma can impact biological rhythms.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Individual differences in circadian rhythms, known as chronotypes, have been recognized for decades.
- Chronotypes classify individuals based on their preferred daily activity timing (morning, evening, or indifferent).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chronotype distribution in asthma patients.
- To determine the relationship between chronotype and the occurrence of nocturnal asthma symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 200 subjects (100 asthmatics, 100 non-asthmatics) using the Morningness/Eveningness questionnaire.
- Assessed chronotype distribution and its correlation with nocturnal symptoms in asthma patients.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in chronotype distribution was found between asthmatics and non-asthmatics overall.
- Thirty-five percent of asthma patients reported nocturnal symptoms.
- Asthmatics with nocturnal symptoms exhibited a lower prevalence of morning types and a higher proportion of indifferent chronotypes compared to asthmatics without nocturnal symptoms (p=0.011).
Conclusions:
- Nocturnal asthma symptoms are associated with a distinct chronotype distribution, deviating from that of asthmatics without such symptoms.
- This research is the first to demonstrate a disease-specific effect on chronotype in asthma.
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