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Daytime napping, sleep duration and serum C reactive protein: a population-based cohort study
Yue Leng1, Sara Ahmadi-Abhari1, Nick W J Wainwright1
1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Strangeways Research Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
BMJ Open
|November 13, 2014
Summary
Daytime napping was linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, in older British adults. Further research is needed to understand if napping causes inflammation or is a symptom of other health issues.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Inflammation Research
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Systemic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is a risk factor for numerous age-related diseases.
- Daytime napping is a common behavior in older adults, but its association with inflammatory markers is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between daytime napping, sleep duration, and serum CRP levels in an older British population.
- To determine if napping is independently associated with elevated pro-inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 5018 participants (aged 48-92) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk study.
- Serum CRP levels were measured using high-sensitivity methods. Napping habits and sleep duration were self-reported.
- Multivariable linear regression models were employed to analyze the association between napping and CRP, adjusting for numerous covariates.
Main Results:
- Daytime napping was associated with a 10% increase in CRP levels compared to non-nappers, even after extensive covariate adjustment.
- A U-shaped association was found between nighttime sleep duration and CRP, while total nighttime sleep duration showed no significant link.
- The association between napping and CRP was more pronounced in older individuals and those at the extremes of nighttime sleep duration.
Conclusions:
- Daytime napping is associated with elevated serum CRP levels in an older British population.
- The findings suggest a potential link between napping and systemic inflammation, though causality remains undetermined.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate whether napping is a cause, symptom, or consequence of underlying health conditions.
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