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Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and adolescent sleep duration.
Clara G Sears1, Joseph M Braun1
1Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Environmental Epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Exposure to certain phthalates is linked to inadequate sleep in adolescents. Higher levels of specific phthalate metabolites in urine were associated with increased odds of short sleep duration in teens.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Environmental chemicals, like phthalates, can disrupt endocrine functions impacting sleep regulation.
- The specific link between phthalate exposure and insufficient sleep during adolescence remains largely unknown.
- Adolescent sleep duration is critical for development and overall health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between phthalate exposure and short sleep duration in adolescents.
- To quantify the odds of short sleep duration in relation to urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2010) for participants aged 16-17.
- Defined short sleep duration as less than 8 hours per night based on consensus guidelines.
- Employed weighted logistic regression to analyze the relationship between phthalate metabolite levels and sleep duration.
Main Results:
- Increased concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, monocarboxynonyl phthalate, monocarboxyoctyl phthalate, and mono-isobutyl phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with higher odds of short sleep duration.
- Specific phthalate metabolite increases correlated with odds ratios ranging from 1.46 to 1.92 for short sleep.
- Observed monotonic dose-response relationships between certain phthalate metabolites and the likelihood of short sleep duration.
Conclusions:
- Higher urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations are linked to short sleep duration in adolescents.
- Identifying modifiable environmental factors contributing to inadequate sleep is crucial for public health.
- Addressing phthalate exposure may be a potential strategy to improve adolescent sleep health and mitigate associated health risks.
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