Association between Sleep Patterns and Health in Families with Exceptional Longevity

Abstract

BackgroundSleep patterns such as longer sleep duration or napping are associated with poor health outcomes. Although centenarians and their offspring demonstrate a delayed onset of age-related diseases, it is not known whether they have healthier sleep patterns or are protected against the negative effects of sleep disturbances.MethodsData on sleep patterns and health history were collected from Ashkenazi Jewish subjects of the Longevity Genes Project using standardized questionnaires. Participants included individuals with exceptional longevity (centenarians) with preserved cognition (n = 348, median age 97 years), their offspring (n = 513, median age 69 years), and controls (n = 199) age-matched to the offspring. Centenarians reported on their sleep patterns at age 70, while the offspring and controls on their current sleep patterns. Biochemical parameters were measured at baseline. Models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and use of sleep medication.ResultsThe offspring and controls reported similar sleep patterns, with 33% sleeping ≥8 h and 17% napping in each group. At age 70, centenarians were more likely to have slept ≥8 h (55%) and to have napped (28%) compared with offspring and controls, p < 0.01. Among centenarians, no association was noted between sleep patterns and health outcomes. Sleeping for ≥8 h was associated with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the offspring and controls, and with insulin resistance in the offspring, but not with diabetes. Napping was associated with insulin resistance among the controls (p < 0.01), but not the offspring. Controls, but not offspring, who napped were 2.79 times more likely to have one or more of the following diseases: hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, or diabetes (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.08–7.21, p = 0.04).ConclusionDespite being more likely to exhibit risky sleep patterns at age 70 compared with the offspring and controls, the centenarians were protected from age-related morbidities. The offspring of centenarians did exhibit metabolic disturbances in association with less healthy sleep patterns; however, unlike the controls, they were much less likely to manifest age-related diseases. This suggests that offspring may have inherited resilience genotypes from their centenarian parents that protect them against the harmful effects of sleep disturbances.

Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in Community-Based Centenarians

“…Although some studies indicated that centenarians represent a prototype of successful aging (12), poor sleep quality is relatively high in this population (13,14). In addition, both the symptoms and influencing factors of sleep problems in long-lived populations have varied patterns compared to the symptoms and factors among younger generations (15,16). Thus, it is imperative to verify tools for measuring sleep quality among this exceptionally aged population.…”

Effect of Familial Longevity on Frailty and Sarcopenia: A Case–Control Study

“…A certain degree of heritability for sleep–wake patterns and insomnia has been suggested [ 48 , 49 ], but the mechanisms involved are still under investigation, and its association with longevity is controversial. In fact, the empirical support for an increase in mortality risk with insomnia is inconsistent, although it might be higher with the use of hypnotic medication [ 50 ], and previous research did not show significant differences in sleep patterns between centenarians’ offspring and their controls [ 51 ]. In contrast, our familial longevity case group had significantly less insomnia than their matched controls.…”

Healthy Lifestyle Recommendations: Do the Beneficial Effects Originate from NAD+ Amount at the Cellular Level?

“…Sleep disorders predispose persons to chronic diseases like obesity, depression, diabetes, and many cardiometabolic diseases, which are significantly associated with mortality and morbidity [ 121 , 122 ] [ 123 – 125 ]. Contrary, a steady pattern of waking and sleeping is associated with health promotion and longevity [ 126 ]. Prolonged disruptions of circadian rhythms are associated with negative health consequences [ 127 ].…”