Insufficient sleep can lead to more asthma attacks in adults, says study

California: A good night`s sleep is crucial to good health and can also be necessary for Asthma patients, suggests a new study. A new article in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) reveals that too little sleep, and occasionally too much sleep, can negatively impact adults with asthma.

"Previous research revealed that poor sleep quality has a negative effect on asthma symptoms in adolescents. Our study shows that adults with asthma are equally affected by too little (or sometimes too much) sleep," said Faith Luyster, PhD, lead author of the study.

"Compared to normal sleepers, short and long sleepers had a higher proportion of people who reported having an asthma attack in the past year (45 percent vs 59 percent and 51 percent respectively) and had more days with impaired health-related quality of life. 

Impaired quality of life was characterized by more days of poor physical and mental health," added Luyster. 

The study surveyed 1,389 adults who were 20 years and older who self-identified as having asthma. Of the group, 25.9 percent slept 5 hours or less, 65.9 percent slept 6-8 hours and 8.2 percent slept 9 or more hours.

Sleep duration was measured by a single question, "How much sleep do you usually get at night on weekdays or workdays?" "Short sleepers" were more likely to be younger and non-White, while "long sleepers" were more likely to be older, female, and a smoker.

Short sleepers, as compared to normal sleepers, had a greater likelihood of an asthma attack, dry cough, and an overnight hospitalization during the past year.

Short sleepers also had significantly worse health-related quality of life -- including days of poor physical and mental health and inactive days due to poor health -- and more frequent general healthcare use during the past year as compared to normal sleepers.

The odds for long sleepers to have some activity limitation due to wheezing was higher when compared to normal sleepers. No significant differences in other patient-reported outcomes and healthcare use were observed between the long and normal sleepers.

"Disturbed sleep in an asthma patient can be a red flag indicating their asthma isn`t well-controlled," said allergist Gailen D. Marshall, MD, PhD, ACAAI member and Editor-in-Chief of Annals."

This study adds solid evidence to the practice of asthma patients discussing sleep issues with their allergist to help determine if they need to change their asthma plan to achieve adequate sleep as a component of overall good asthma management. 

It also warns that consequences can be expected when sleep patterns are chronically inadequate," added Marshall. 

Allergists are specially trained to diagnose and treat asthma. To find an allergist near you who can help create a personal plan to deal with your asthma and help you live your best life, use the ACAAI allergist locator.