Skip to main content
Back to Research Library
A
High Confidence
Meta-AnalysisPMC Full Text2016

Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Duration, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies and Experimental Sleep Deprivation

Irwin MR, et al • Biological Psychiatry

Key Finding

Sleep disturbance associated with elevated CRP (effect size 0.12) and IL-6 (effect size 0.20); long sleep duration associated with higher CRP (effect size 0.17)

Key Findings

  • 1Sleep disturbance: CRP effect size 0.12, IL-6 effect size 0.20
  • 2Long sleep >8h: CRP effect size 0.17, IL-6 effect size 0.11
  • 3Short sleep <7h: minimal inflammatory effects
  • 472 studies, N>50,000 participants

Original title: “Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Duration, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies and Experimental Sleep Deprivation”

Plain English Summary

Meta-analysis of 72 studies with over 50,000 participants found that sleep disturbance and long sleep duration (>8 hours), but not short sleep duration, are associated with increased markers of systemic inflammation including CRP and IL-6.

In-Depth Analysis

Abstract

"Sleep disturbance and long sleep duration, but not short sleep duration, are associated with increases in markers of systemic inflammation."

Methods

  • •Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
  • •Sample: 72 studies, >50,000 participants
  • •Markers Assessed: CRP, IL-6, TNF-α

Key Results

Sleep Disturbance
  • •Associated with elevated CRP (effect size 0.12)
  • •Associated with elevated IL-6 (effect size 0.20)
  • •No association with TNF-α
Sleep Duration
  • •Short sleep (<7 hours): Minimal inflammatory effects
  • •Long sleep (>8 hours): Associated with higher CRP (effect size 0.17) and IL-6 (effect size 0.11)
Experimental Sleep Deprivation
  • •Neither acute nor prolonged sleep restriction significantly altered inflammatory markers

Conclusions

Disturbed sleep quality and excessive sleep duration represent behavioral risk factors for systemic inflammation, potentially contributing to inflammatory disease development and mortality risk.

Paradigm Relevance

How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:

Standard Medical

Relevant

Conventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors

Why it matters:

Supports sleep assessment in cardiovascular risk evaluation; chronic sleep problems linked to elevated CRP

Research Consensus

Relevant

Current scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines

Why it matters:

Demonstrates U-shaped relationship—both short and long sleep durations associated with higher CRP

Metabolic Optimization

Relevant

Proactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence

Why it matters:

Critical for metabolic optimization: sleep quality as modifiable lever for CRP reduction alongside diet and exercise

Study Details

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 72 studies; N > 50,000 participants; examined associations between sleep problems and inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α)

Evidence Quality

Grade A - Large meta-analysis. Source: PMC4666828

Topic

hscrpInflammationsleep

Related Biomarkers

HSCRPCRPIL 6TNF ALPHA

Calculate & Evaluate on Metabolicum

🔥

hsCRP

Evaluator

High-sensitivity inflammation marker

Original Source

View on PubMedView DOIFull Text (Open Access)

DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent link to this publication. Unlike website URLs that can change, a DOI always resolves to the correct source.

Related Studies