Experts warn that irregular sleep patterns can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by a third, emphasizing the importance of a good night’s sleep.
Researchers in Boston (US) found that people with the most irregular sleep patterns were most likely to be diagnosed with the disorder later in life.
They now want to investigate why the internal biological clock is so closely linked to diabetes and whether this could lead to new treatment methods.
Lead researcher Professor Sina Kianersi from Brigham and Women’s Hospital said: ‘Our research has identified a modifiable lifestyle factor that may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
‘Our findings highlight the importance of consistent sleep patterns as a strategy to reduce type 2 diabetes.’
People whose sleep length varied by more than an hour each day were 34 percent more likely to develop the condition
Lead researcher Professor Sina Kianersi from Brigham and Women’s Hospital said: ‘Our findings highlight the importance of consistent sleep patterns as a strategy to reduce type 2 diabetes.’
The research, published in the journal Diabetes Care, examined more than 84,000 people in the UK with an average age of 62.
They wore smart watches that recorded their movements for seven nights and their health was monitored for seven years, with medical records tracking the development of diabetes.
The data showed that people with irregular sleep patterns were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, compared to those with regular sleep patterns.
People whose sleep length varied by more than an hour each day were 34 percent more likely to develop the condition.
The risk was slightly reduced, but not completely eliminated, in people without underlying health conditions or a family history of diabetes.
Nearly half a billion people worldwide suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability.
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The number of people with type 2 diabetes is expected to more than double to 1.3 billion by 2050.
The researchers now plan to study people from younger age groups and diverse racial backgrounds and investigate the biological reasons why sleep irregularity increases the risk of diabetes.
Professor Kianersi said: ‘Our findings could improve diabetes prevention at several levels.
‘Clinically, they can lead to better patient care and treatment plans. Public health guidelines can promote regular sleep patterns.
‘However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism and confirm the results in other populations.’
Last month an alarming report emerged that the NHS spends £6 billion a year on diabetes-related complications such as amputations and blindness.
Diabetes UK warned that many of the problems are avoidable and called on the health service to shift its focus from ‘crisis care to preventative care’.
The charity estimates that more than 4.4 million people in the UK have diabetes and that a further 1.2 million people may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity.
Diabetes leads to 2,990 cases of heart failure, over 930 strokes, 660 heart attacks and 184 amputations every week.