New evidence on the association of shortened sleep time and obstructive sleep apnea with sleepiness and cardiometabolic risk factors

A new study may change the way we think about sleep disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and short sleep duration (SSD) were compared with excessive daytime sleepiness; anxiety/depressive symptoms; and several cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Using a large sample of adults, investigators found that SSD, but not OSA, was independently associated with daytime sleepiness. In contrast, OSA, but not SSD, was independently associated with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.