Breathe In, Breathe Out: The Role of Sleep in Managing Asthma

The importance of healthy sleep patterns in mitigating the risk of adult asthma, especially under the combined effects of genetic susceptibility, is revealed by Bowen Xiang and his team, the lead authors of a groundbreaking study published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research. The research, conducted across multiple institutions, aims to understand the complex interplay between sleep patterns, genetic predisposition, and asthma risk, emphasizing the importance of sleep health in managing chronic respiratory conditions.

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the respiratory system, is a significant health concern worldwide. It is estimated that over 300 million people globally suffer from this condition, with the numbers increasing every year. The disease's multifactorial nature, involving both genetic and environmental factors, makes it a complex issue to address.

One such environmental factor that has recently gained attention is sleep health. Poor sleep patterns have been associated with a range of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, and chronic respiratory conditions like asthma. This aligns with Neurobit's focus on innovative sleep health solutions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to managing chronic diseases.

The study, involving 455,405 participants, was a large-scale prospective cohort study that examined the combined effects of sleep patterns and genetic susceptibility on adult asthma risk. The researchers considered five sleep traits - chronotype, sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness - and constructed a comprehensive sleep score to define different sleep patterns. They found that individuals with poor sleep patterns and higher genetic susceptibility had a significantly higher asthma risk. However, a healthy sleep pattern could reduce the risk of asthma in individuals with high genetic susceptibility by 37%.

The findings of this study underscore the importance of sleep health in managing chronic diseases like asthma. It shows that while genetic susceptibility plays a role in disease risk, modifiable lifestyle factors like sleep patterns can significantly impact disease outcomes. This is particularly relevant in the context of Neurobit's work, as it emphasizes the potential of sleep health interventions in managing chronic diseases. While the study provides valuable insights, it also highlights several challenges in the field. The relationship between sleep and asthma is complex and likely bidirectional, with each influencing the other. Here, Neurobit's solutions, particularly the Neurobit Score, can help by providing accurate sleep event labeling, aiding in the precise assessment of sleep patterns and their impact on asthma.

The study's findings are limited to adults of European ancestry, and generalization to other populations should be done with caution. Neurobit's extensive dataset collection and analysis platform, Neurobit Hub, can help overcome this limitation by promoting the discovery of novel biomarkers and sleep-centric treatment strategies across diverse populations. The self-reported nature of sleep traits may introduce measurement errors. To mitigate this, Neurobit's Z3 Pulse, a wearable ECG device, can provide comprehensive sleep reports and personalized guidance, ensuring accurate and objective sleep data.

The importance of the study lies in its emphasis on the role of sleep health in managing chronic diseases like asthma. It shows that while genetic factors are important, modifiable lifestyle factors like sleep patterns can significantly impact disease outcomes. Neurobit's technology can play a crucial role in this context, providing innovative solutions for monitoring and improving sleep health.

We invite you to learn more about our products at Neurobit and how they can contribute to improving sleep health and managing chronic diseases. If you're interested in trying our technology, collaborating with us on research, or supporting our mission, please get in touch. We are committed to advancing sleep health and improving the lives of those living with chronic diseases. Email us: Research@Neurobit.com

Citation:

Xiang, B., Hu, M., Yu, H., Zhang, Y., Wang, Q., & Xue, F. (2023). Highlighting the importance of healthy sleep patterns in the risk of adult asthma under the combined effects of genetic susceptibility: A large-scale prospective cohort study of 455 405 participants. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 10(1), e001535. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2022-001535