Association between sleep duration and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in young adults

Abstract

Background: Sleep duration affects allergic diseases; however, this association requires further investigation. Objective: To evaluate the association between sleep duration and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in young Korean adults. Method: We analyzed data of 10,148 subjects (4,239 men; 5,909 women) aged 19-39 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized into five groups: <= 5h, 6h, 7h, 8h, and >= 9h. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma was examined based on a questionnaire and compared between participants from five sleep duration groups after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including model 1 [age], model 2 [model 1 + BMI, current smoking, current alcohol use, regular physical activity, household income, and serum 25(OH)D level], and model 3 [model 2 + stress levels]. Results: In female participants, a higher risk of atopic dermatitis was associated with sleep duration <= 5 hours [odds ratio (OR): 1.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.004-2.762; model 1], and >= 9 hours (OR, 1.746, 95% CI, 1.145-2.661; model 3), compared to a 7-hour sleep duration. Similarly, a higher risk of asthma was associated with sleep duration <= 5 hours and >= 9 hours (OR, 1.553, 95% CI, 1.023-2.359 and OR, 1.569, 95% CI, 1.048-2.349, respectively; model 3). In male participants, there was no significant association between sleep duration and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis or asthma. Conclusions: Sleep duration <= 5 and >= 9 hours may be a risk factor for atopic dermatitis and asthma in young female adults.