Childhood adversity is associated with heightened inflammation after sleep loss

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate whether childhood adversity exacerbates the relationship between sleep restriction and inflammation. MethodsParticipants (N = 46) were randomly assigned to an experimental sleep restriction group (n = 25) or a night of typical sleep (n = 21). Participants provided a dried blood spot sample the morning before and after the experimental night. ResultsA significant interaction emerged between childhood adversity and group assignment on C-reactive protein (CRP) after the experimental night (Beta = −0.02, SE = 0.01, P = .03, 95% CI: −0.05, −0.002). Sleep restriction resulted in an increase in CRP at high levels of childhood adversity (+1 SD; Effect = −0.57, SE = 0.15, P< .001; 95% CI: −0.87, −0.26) but not low levels of childhood adversity (Effect = −0.08, SE = 0.10, P = .40; 95% CI: −0.29, 0.12). ConclusionChildhood adversity may amplify the effect of sleep loss on markers of inflammation.