Abstract
Sleep disorders and psychological stress have become major concerns as health risks in modern Japanese society. Chronic sleep deprivation could lead to physical and mental exhaustion, which could affect the circulatory condition. In this study, we have investigated the effects of long-term sleep problems and mental health conditions on abnormal ECG findings from the standpoint of community health. Data were obtained from the records of community physical checkups conducted in a town in Okinawa from 1993 to 2001. Data regarding average sleep duration and the 12-item version of the general health questionnaire (GHQ) were also collected at the community physical checkups. In order to compute the odds ratio of electrocardiographic (ECG) findings according to mental health condition and sleep duration, we conducted multivariate analysis using logistic regression maneuvers. There was a significant difference of average GHQ scores according to sleep duration, with shorter sleep duration (< or =6 h) correlating with poorer GHQ and longer sleep duration (> or =8 h) correlating with healthier GHQ (p < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis among subjects with poorer GHQ, shorter sleep duration showed significantly high odds ratio (OR = 7.14) for abnormal ECG findings. The present study suggested that the mental health condition appears to impact ECG results indirectly through its strong association with sleep duration and provided ground for suggestion that mental health items to be included in community physical checkup examination items.
Highlights
Sleep disorders and excessive stress have become major concerns as health risks in modern Japanese society as well as cardiovascular diseases
The relationship between acute sleep deprivation and increased cardiovascular diseases has been reported in previous studies [3], there are few studies addressing the relationship among chronic sleep deprivation, mental health condition and cardiovascular diseases
We have investigated the relationship among long-term sleep problems, mental health conditions and abnormal ECG findings from the standpoint of Environ Health Prev Med (2008) 13:227–233 community health
Summary
Sleep disorders and excessive stress have become major concerns as health risks in modern Japanese society as well as cardiovascular diseases. It is reported that one in five Japanese has some sort of sleep disorder [2]. The relationship between acute sleep deprivation and increased cardiovascular diseases has been reported in previous studies [3], there are few studies addressing the relationship among chronic sleep deprivation, mental health condition and cardiovascular diseases. Our hypothesis is that chronic sleep problems and poor mental health conditions could be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We thought that those with poor mental health will develop sleep disorders, and as a result, develop more cardiovascular diseases
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