Association of sleep parameters with kidney function: analysis of baseline data from 9216 adults in the Fasa Adult Cohort Study (FACS)

Background: The evidence on the impact of sleep parameters on kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk is inconsistent and warrants further research across diverse populations. Our study investigates the relationship between sleep and kidney function in both healthy individuals and those with CKD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 9216 adults aged 35-70. Various sleep parameters were assessed and calculated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire. Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with CKD characterized as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Multiple linear regression was used in the statistical analysis to account for significant confounding variables.

Results: In general, sleep duration (β: 0.18, 95% CI0.06, 0.30, p value < 0.001) and sleep efficiency (β: 0.03, 95% CI 0.01, 0.05, p value = 0.02) were positively correlated with GFR, while sleep latency (β: - 0.01, 95%CI - 0.02, 0.00, p value < 0.001) and daily naps (β: - 1.33, 95%CI - 1.76, - 0.90, p value < 0.001) were negatively correlated with GFR. Similarly, for those without CKD, sleep duration (β: 0.23, 95%CI 0.1, 0.36, p value < 0.001) and sleep efficiency (β: 0.04, 95%CI 0.01, 0.06, p value = 0.002) positively and sleep latency (β: - 0.01, 95%CI - 0.02, 0.00, p value = 0.002) and daily naps (β: - 1.02, 95%CI - 1.65, - 0.74, p value < 0.001) negatively were correlated with GFR. These associations were not significant in individuals with CKD. Conclusion: Enhancing sleep duration, decreasing sleep latency, improving sleep efficiency, and minimizing daytime napping could potentially boost kidney function. The linear relationships suggest that even slight changes in sleep could affect GFR in non-CKD individuals. Although our statistically significant effect sizes show a small clinical impact, their consistent association warrants further exploration over longer periods with longitudinal studies, to assess if improving sleep can prevent declining renal function, potentially delaying the onset of renal issues in non-CKD populations.