Insomnia symptoms have been linked to an increased risk of stroke, particularly among younger adults, according to a population-cohort study based on data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS).
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University, led by Dr. Wendemi Sawadogo, conducted the study, which found that individuals experiencing both mild (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.33) and severe (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.29-1.77) insomnia symptoms had a higher likelihood of stroke over a nine-year follow-up period compared to their non-insomniac counterparts.
The association between severe insomnia and stroke risk was more pronounced in individuals under 50 years of age (HR 3.84, 95% CI 1.50-9.85) compared to older individuals (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.18-1.62), suggesting the potential for insomnia symptom management as a preventive strategy, especially in younger adults.
Previous research has produced mixed results in establishing a connection between stroke and sleep disorders beyond obstructive sleep apnea. However, recent findings have indicated an association between various sleep issues, including sleep duration and difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep, and an elevated risk of stroke.
The American Heart Association has even incorporated sleep as part of its “Life’s Essential 8” cardiovascular health checklist in 2022.
The study emphasized that insomnia symptoms tended to persist over time among participants, indicating chronicity or potential underdiagnosis and inadequate management. Raising awareness about insomnia symptoms and encouraging individuals to discuss their sleep problems with healthcare providers is crucial.
Seeking care for persistent insomnia symptoms can lead to early interventions or behavioral therapies that may help improve sleep quality and potentially reduce the risk of stroke later in life, as stated by Dr. Sawadogo.
The study included participants from the HRS between 2002 and 2020, with a total of 31,126 stroke-free individuals at baseline. The average age of the patient population was 61 years, with 57% being women. In terms of racial composition, 63% were non-Hispanic white, 18.9% were Black, and 13.9% were Hispanic.
Insomnia symptoms were self-reported using the validated Adapted Brief Insomnia Questionnaire, which assigns scores ranging from 0 (no insomnia) to 8 (severe insomnia symptoms). Participants were categorized into less severe insomnia and more severe insomnia groups based on their scores.
The study also observed that certain conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and depression, appeared to mediate the impact of severe insomnia on stroke risk. However, these mediating effects did not reach statistical significance for the association between less severe insomnia and stroke.
It is important to acknowledge the study’s limitations, including its reliance on self-reported insomnia symptoms and the equal weighting of symptoms in an index. Additionally, the available data did not differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
These findings contribute valuable insights into the potential relationship between insomnia symptoms and stroke risk, particularly among younger adults. Further research and awareness in this area could pave the way for effective interventions and strategies to manage insomnia and reduce the risk of stroke.
Source: Medpagetoda