EFFECT OF SLEEP QUALITY ON GIT HEALTH
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Sleep plays a fundamental role in physiological regulation, influencing cognitive, emotional, and metabolic processes. Recent evidence emphasizes its impact on gastrointestinal (GI) health, particularly through the gut-brain axis, circadian rhythms, and gut microbiota. Sleep disturbances have been strongly linked to GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the exact biological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood, necessitating further exploration.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of sleep quality on gastrointestinal health, with a focus on gut microbiota balance, circadian disruptions, and GI symptoms, while evaluating potential contributing factors such as stress, diet, and physical activity.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months involving 303 adults aged 20–40 years. Participants were recruited from Superior University Lahore and online platforms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a GI symptom checklist. Demographic variables and lifestyle factors were controlled. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, applying chi-square tests, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression to determine the association between sleep parameters and GI outcomes.
Results: Among 303 participants, 39.3% reported poor sleep quality. Gastrointestinal discomfort was significantly higher in this group (mean GI score = 6.8, SD = 2.3) compared to those with good sleep (mean = 3.2, SD = 1.8). Regression analysis showed sleep quality as a strong predictor of GI symptoms (β = 0.52, p < 0.001). Circadian misalignment was also significantly associated with increased digestive disturbances (χ² = 9.72, p = 0.002).
Conclusion: The findings underscore a significant association between poor sleep and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Enhancing sleep hygiene may play a crucial role in alleviating GI symptoms, supporting the integration of sleep-focused interventions in clinical management.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Sun J, Fang D, Wang Z, Liu Y. Sleep Deprivation and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Current Understandings and Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(11):9603.
Dutt V, Sharma N. Sleep, gut health, and gastrointestinal disorders. Nutr Clin Pract. 2020;35(4):476-483.
Thompson D, Hamilton C. Impact of sleep quality on gut inflammation: implications for therapy. Gastroenterology. 2021;15(4):340-349.
Albrecht U. Circadian rhythms and gastrointestinal microbiota. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology. 2020;17(5):348-357.
Sweeney L, Sun J, Jeng H, et al. The role of microbiota in sleep regulation. PLOS One. 2022;17(4): e0228712.
Marsh J, Soja E, Shen Y. Sleep hygiene and gastrointestinal disorders. J Sleep Research. 2021;30(5): e13139.
Ferenci P, Haider S, Lindtner A. Role of sleep and gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome. Metabolism. 2020; 96:110-119.
Kothari T, Scott S. The influence of sleep on gut microbiota composition in health and disease. Microorganisms. 2022;10(7):1425.
Ghouri YA, Richards DM. Sleep and gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: Current perspectives. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2022;38(6):509-514.
Lee H, Choi J. Chronic sleep disturbances and the impact on the gut-brain axis. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2022;73(3):311-319.
Zhang T, Wang C. Influence of circadian rhythm disruption on gut microbiome and gastrointestinal health. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1674.
Hu Z, Weng F. The interaction between gut microbiome and sleep quality: Mechanisms and implications for metabolic diseases. Front Endocrinol. 2022; 13:720899.
Anand K, Mitchell M. Impact of disturbed sleep on gut permeability and health. J Gastrointestinal Health. 2021;12(3):155-163.
Wheeler K, Chang K. Gut microbiome modulation and its impact on sleep quality. Gut Microbes. 2022;13(1):1859874.
Fatahzadeh M, Rezaei N. Role of sleep disturbances in exacerbating gastrointestinal diseases: Clinical implications. J Appl Physiol. 2022;53(4):492-502.
Mark A, Lee G. Sleep quality and its relationship with gut microbiome composition. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):9281.
Norat T, Tosti A. Disrupted sleep, microbiome alterations, and gastrointestinal disorders. J Sleep Res. 2022;31(4): e13479.
Smith P, Engle M. The link between sleep and gut inflammation: A physiological perspective. Adv Physiol Educ. 2021;45(3):482-491.
Dutt V, Sharma N. Sleep, gut health, and gastrointestinal disorders. Nutr Clin Pract. 2020;35(4):476-483.
Yang X, Lee Y. Sleep and gut inflammation in metabolic disorders. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(9):789-795.
Duncan SH, Lobley GE, Holtrop G. Sleep, microbiota, and gastrointestinal inflammation in the obese. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(3):174-181.
Siskind D, Edelman S. Gastrointestinal disorders and sleep disturbances: a clinical approach. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(6):957-963.
Dutt V, Sharma N. Sleep, gut health, and gastrointestinal disorders. Nutr Clin Pract. 2020;35(4):476-483.
Shirolapov IV, Gribkova OV, Kovalev AM, Shafigullina LR, Ulivanova VA, Kozlov AV, et al. [The interactions along the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep mechanisms and disorders]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2024;124(5. Vyp. 2):79-86.
Manosso LM, Duarte LA, Martinello NS, Mathia GB, Réus GZ. Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Disorders Associated to Major Depressive Disorder: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Opportunities. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2024;23(9):1085-100.