Abstract P080: Associations of Poor Sleep Quality and Quantity and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Older Age - The Chicago Healthy Aging Study (CHAS)

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a link between both sleep quantity and quality and an increased risk of CVD, stroke, and diabetes. However only a few population-based studies have information on the association of sleep quantity and quality and subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC) and ankle brachial index (ABI) -- a marker for peripheral arterial disease. Methods: CHAS data were used to investigate cross-sectional associations of short sleep duration and poor sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (see Table Footnote for definition of poor sleep quality and quantity) and prevalence of having CAC (score > 0) or low ABI (<0.99). CAC, assessed by multi-detector computed tomography, was quantified by the Agatston’s method. ABI was calculated as the ratio of Doppler recorded systolic pressures in the lower and upper extremities (ABI >1.4 was excluded). Results: The study sample consists of 1,005 men and 390 women ages 65-84 (mean age 71) in 2007-10; 9% were African American. There are no differences in CAC prevalence among participants with or without short sleep duration (11.2% vs. 11.0%). For low ABI, these figures are 20% and10.8%, respectively. With multiple adjustments (see Table Footnote), there are no significant associations of short sleep duration or poor sleep total score with prevalent CAC. However, participants with short sleep duration are more likely to have low ABI, i.e., the odds (95% confidence interval) of having ABI <0.99 with sleep duration of <6hrs was almost two fold (1.02-3.13) compared to others (see Table). Conclusion: In older age, shorter sleep duration is associated with peripheral vascular disease. Sleep may represent a modifiable risk factor for CVD.