The influence of sleep patterns and stress in the metabolic syndrome: a populational study

• Grant number: 14/00352-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Tufik
• Grantee: André Campiolo Boin
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is estimated that 30% of the Brazilian population has metabolic syndrome (MS), a condition highly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality. Within the factors related to the growing incidence of MS, there is the modern lifestyle, contributing to the imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure, and leading to obesity. However, little is known about the role of other neurobiological factors such as sleep and stress in the MS. Of note, short sleepers (d6h) have increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease and mortality. In addition, high levels of cortisol play a role on the storage of fat and triglycerides in adipocytes and promotes insulin resistance as well as hypertension. Thus, the present project will aim to investigate the relationship between the changes in sleep pattern and stress levels in individuals with MS in order to identify new risk factors and possible candidate biomarkers of this disease. For this, it will be used data from the epidemiological sleep study of the city of Sao Paulo performed in 2007 (EPISONO), which included 1042 individuals evaluated by socioeconomic questionnaires, medical history, general physical measures, sleep quality questionnaire (Pittsburgh), and polysomnography as well as biochemical and hormonal measurements. It is expected with this study that we can clarify the relationship between stress and sleep factors and its implication on the MS, so that possible changes of lifestyle habits can be suggested for a better prognosis of the disease. (AU)