People who sleep less than six hours a night are 27% more likely to have had an infection in the past three months, compared with those getting the recommended seven to eight hours a night, researchers have found, with insomniacs, for instance, 41% more likely to have had a UTI.
The study, by the University of Bergen in Norway and published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry journal, also showed that people sleeping less than six hours were 92% more likely to have had a stomach bug involving vomiting or diarrhoea.
The researchers asked 1 848 people in GP surgeries in Norway how much sleep they got each night on average. Participants were also asked if they had suffered a respiratory infection, like a cold, a stomach bug, UTI, skin or eye infection, or another type of infection in the previous three months.
Although the study may have been too small to provide many clear trends between lack of sleep and specific infections, the researchers believe that sleeping the recommended amount could reduce infections.
Dr Ingeborg Forthun, who led the research, said: “Sleep is important not only for people’s well-being, but also for their health, including their body’s ability to fight an infection.
“Increased awareness of the importance of sleep is needed in the general public and among physicians.”
Among the study’s other findings were that almost 54% of people surveyed in doctors’ surgeries had suffered an infection in the past three months.
Also, those who slept less than six hours were 57% more likely to have been given antibiotics in the previous three months.
However, the study team also found that those who reported sleeping for more than nine hours were 44% more likely to have had an infection than people sleeping seven to eight hours a night.
Previous studies have found people infected with a cold virus are more likely to actually get a cold, having failed to fight off the virus, if they are deprived of sleep.
Meanwhile, there is some evidence suggesting that too little sleep makes the immune system less able to fight off an infection, but more research is needed
Past research suggests sleeping well could see men live almost five years longer, and women more than two years longer, than men and women who sleep badly, and that good quality sleep is more important than the recommended amount of sleep for preventing illnesses.
Study details
The association between self-reported sleep problems, infection, and antibiotic use in patients in general practice
Ingeborg Forthun, Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen, Knut Erik Emberland and Bjørn Bjorvatn.
Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry on 2 March 2023
Objectives
There is emerging evidence that sleep problems and short sleep duration increase the risk of infection. We aimed to assess whether chronic insomnia disorder, chronic sleep problems, sleep duration and circadian preference based on self-report were associated with risk of infections and antibiotic use among patients visiting their general practitioner (GP).
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1 848 unselected patients in Norway visiting their GP during 2020. The patients completed a one-page questionnaire while waiting for the consultation, that included the validated Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS), questions on self-assessed sleep problem, sleep duration and circadian preference and whether they have had any infections or used antibiotics in the last 3 months. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using modified Poisson regression models.
Results
The risk of infection was 27% (95% CI RR 1.11–1.46) and 44% higher (95% CI 1.12–1.84) in patients sleeping <6 h and >9 h, respectively, compared to those sleeping 7–8 h. The risk was also increased in patients with chronic insomnia disorder or a chronic sleep problem. For antibiotic use, the risk was higher for patients sleeping <6 h, and for those with chronic insomnia disorder or a chronic sleep problem.
Conclusions
Among patients visiting their GP, short sleep duration, chronic insomnia and chronic sleep problem based on self-report were associated with higher prevalence of infection and antibiotic use. These findings support the notion of a strong association between sleep and infection.
The Independent article – How lack of sleep increases risk of getting infections (Open access)
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Seven hours is ideal amount of sleep in middle-age and older – UK-China study
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