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Updated: May 18, 2026

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
Published on: June 13, 2025
Association between sleep duration and thirst in a nationally representative cross-sectional survey
Inha Hwang1,2, Dana Oh3, Jee-Eun Yoon4
1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13620, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. ihhwang19@gmail.com.
Short sleep duration is linked to increased thirst, indicating potential hydration issues. This association was particularly noted in adults aged 50 and older, suggesting a complex relationship between sleep and hydration.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Hydration Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Altered hydration status can be indicated by thirst levels.
- Sleep duration is a crucial factor in overall health and well-being.
- Understanding the relationship between sleep and hydration is important for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between sleep duration and thirst level.
- To investigate sleep duration as a predictor of altered hydration status.
- To explore potential mediating factors in the sleep-hydration relationship.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the 2018 Korean Sleep-Headache Study, a nationally representative survey.
- Categorization of participants into high- or low-thirst groups based on self-reported frequency.
- Logistic regression analysis adjusting for lifestyle and health variables to assess the relationship between sleep duration and thirst.
Main Results:
- Short sleep duration (≤6 hours) was significantly associated with high thirst (adjusted OR 1.69).
- Adults aged ≥50 years showed a significant association between sleep duration of >6-7 hours and high thirst (OR 2.26).
- Diabetes, habitual snoring, and depressive mood were identified as key contributors and consistent predictors of high thirst.
Conclusions:
- Short sleep duration is linked to increased thirst, suggesting a potential impact on hydration status.
- The findings highlight a complex interplay between sleep, thirst perception, and hydration.
- Metabolic and sleep-related disorders may play a role in mediating the observed relationship between sleep and thirst.
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