Inflammatory Markers and Sleep Architecture in Sleep Bruxism-A Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Neurology
• Immunology

Background:

• Sleep bruxism (SB) is a common sleep disorder with unclear causes and mechanisms.
• A recent hypothesis suggests a potential link between SB and systemic inflammation.
• This study aimed to explore the relationship between SB, sleep structure, and inflammatory markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare sleep structure in individuals with and without sleep bruxism.
• To assess levels of inflammatory parameters in relation to sleep bruxism severity.
• To investigate the association between sleep bruxism and sleep quality.

Main Methods:

• 83 adults underwent full-night polysomnography evaluated by American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines.
• Blood samples were collected for analysis of inflammatory cytokines.
• Participants were categorized into severe bruxers (bruxism episode index [BEI] > 4) and non-bruxers (BEI ≤ 4).

Main Results:

• Severe bruxers exhibited significantly higher oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and arousal parameters compared to non-bruxers.
• Sleep architecture alterations, including a shorter deep sleep (non-REM stage 3) duration, were observed in severe bruxers.
• No significant differences in inflammatory cytokine levels were found between bruxers and non-bruxers.

Conclusions:

• Sleep bruxism is associated with significant alterations in sleep structure, including deprivation of deep sleep.
• The severity of sleep bruxism, as measured by BEI, does not show a linear correlation with inflammatory marker levels.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiology of sleep bruxism and its systemic implications.