Short sleep duration is related to several endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions but evidence of the association between insufficient sleep and bone health is limited. The current study examined the relationship between sleep duration and bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects included 602 Chinese women aged 18–80 years. Sleep duration was collapsed to form categories of five hours or less, six hours, seven hours, eight hours, and nine hours or more. Total and regional BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Women with a short sleeping duration were more likely to have lower total and all body regional BMD after adjusting for potential covariates (all p values < 0.05). Compared to those who slept eight hours, individuals who slept five hours or less and six hours had significantly lower total and regional BMD (all p < 0.05). Upon dividing women into 18–44 years old and 45 years or older groups and repeating the regression models, the significant associations between BMD and sleep duration were only observed in the 45 years or older group. These findings may lead to the development of better preventive approaches to osteoporosis. Bone. 2011 Aug 12. PMID: 21864732.
