Abstract 192: Relation Between Poor Sleep Quality and Hypercholesteremia

Abstract

Background: Problems with sleep are linked with higher risk of cardiovascular pathologies. We explore the effect that problems with sleep may have on hypercholesterolemia as well as mental health on participants of an 8-week lifestyle health program. Methods: The focus of the program is educational. Those who chose to participate met once a week for 8 weeks for a 2 hour program. It consisted of a 45 minute DVD presentation and a facilitated group discussion. The Depression and Anxiety Assessment Test (DAAT) was administered at baseline and completion. It assessed depression level based on DSM-5 [The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Volume 5] criteria, demographics, sleep quality and inquires about cholesterol levels. The depression was classified according to DSM-5 into 4 categories as none (0-6), mild (7-10), moderate (11-19) or severe (20 or more). They were taught various healthy lifestyle habits. Sleep quality was self reported and was divided between bad quality and good quality the last two weeks. Results: Of n=5997 participants that finished the program, n=5380 knew their cholesterol levels and were used in this study. Mean age was 52.3 (SD 15.1), n=4209 (70%) females. At baseline participants that reported bad sleep were n=1124, that group baseline mean depression was 14.8 (SD 7.2), n=313 (27.8%) had hypercholesterolemia. At the end of the 8- week program their mean depression was 8.1 (SD 6.3), the change was significant with a paired t-test t(1123)=7.761 p<.001. By the end also 58.1% reported improvement in sleep quality. An improvement in cholesterol was reported in 11.8% of this group at the end of the program. At baseline those with good sleep quality were n=4256, their baseline mean depression was 11.2 (SD 7.4), n=1006 (23.6%) had hypercholesterolemia. Their end mean depression was 5.9 (SD 5.7), paired t-test reported significant change t(4255)=55.03 p<.001. An improvement in their cholesterol was reported in 26.3% of this group at the end of the program. Conclusion: The group with bad sleep quality seem to have more hypercholesterolemia and more severe depression. The 8-week program was safe and was associated with at least some degree of improvement in the vast majority.