Variations in Sleep Characteristics and Glucose Regulation in Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Short sleep duration and sleep disruptions are associated with impaired glucoregulation in type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the mechanistic pathways between sleep and glucose variability remain unclear.

To determine within- and between-person associations between objective sleep-wake characteristics and glucose variability indices.

Multilevel models were used to analyze concurrent sleep and glucose patterns over 7 days in 42 young adults with T1D in their natural home environment. Young adults with T1D (mean age 22.2 ± 3.0 years, HbA1c 7.2%, 32.6% male) for at least 6 months with no other medical or major psychiatric comorbidity were included. Sleep-wake characteristics were measured via wrist actigraphy and glucose variability indices via a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

Lower sleep efficiency predicted higher glucose variability (less time in range β = 0.011 and more time in hyperglycemia β = -0.011) within-person. A longer wake after sleep onset and more sleep disruptions were associated with higher glucose variability between persons (β = 0.28 and 0.31). Higher glucose variability predicted poorer sleep within-person (delayed bedtime, waketime, mid-sleep time, and lower sleep efficiency), while higher glucose variability was associated with poorer sleep and more sleep disruptions between persons (lower sleep efficiency, longer wake after sleep onset, and a higher sleep fragmentation index).

Clinicians can address the reciprocal nature of the sleep-glucose relationship by optimizing sleep and targeting efforts toward a euglycemic range overnight. Sleep habits are a modifiable personal target in diabetes care.