The positive impact of smoking on poor sleep quality is moderated by IGF1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid: a case-control study among Chinese adults.

Objective: Previous research indicates associations between cigarette smoking, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), and sleep disturbances. This study aimed to examine the association between smoking and sleep quality and investigate the moderating role of IGF1. Methods: This case-control study involved 146 Chinese adult males (53 active smokers and 93 non-smokers) from September 2014 to January 2016. Sleep quality and disturbances were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which includes seven scales. Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were utilized to examine the link between IGF1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and PSQI scores. The effect of IGF1 was assessed using the moderation effect and simple slope analysis, with adjustments made for potential confounders. Results: Active smokers exhibited significantly higher global PSQI scores and lower IGF1 levels in CSF compared to non-smokers. A significant negative correlation was observed between IGF1 and PSQI scores (â = -0.28, P < 0.001), with a stronger association in non-smokers (Pearson r = -0.30) compared to smokers (Pearson r = -0.01). Smoking was associated with higher global PSQI scores (â = 0.282, P < 0.001), and this association was moderated by IGF1 levels in CSF (â = 0.145, P < 0.05), with a stronger effect at high IGF1 levels (Bsimple = 0.402, p < 0.001) compared to low IGF1 levels (Bsimple = 0.112, p = 0.268). Four subgroup analysis revealed similar results for sleep disturbances (Bsimple = 0.628, P < 0.001), with a marginal moderation effect observed on subjective sleep quality (Bsimple = 0.150, P = 0.070). However, independent associations rather than moderating effects were observed between IGF1 and sleep efficiency and daytime disturbance. Conclusion: We provided evidence to demonstrate the moderation effect of IGF1 on the relationship between smoking and sleep in CSF among Chinese adult males.

Sleep Quality of Undergraduate Medical Students during and Post-Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Research.

Background: The COVID-19 and associated lockdowns have significantly impacted the lives of undergraduate medical students, including their sleep quality. This study attempts to investigate how sleep patterns, sleep quality, and associated factors altered during and post-lockdown. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 171 medical students from colleges registered under the National Medical Council participated. The study used a validated PSQI questionnaire. The data collected through Google forms were analyzed using SPSS v2021. Result: Among 171 study participants, 9.4% had bad sleep quality during lockdown which reduced to 4.7% post-lockdown significantly. Sleep latency and sleep duration were also significantly affected by the lockdown. There was a weak correlation between PSQI score during and post-lockdown, suggesting that individuals with poor sleep quality during lockdown also had poor sleep post-lockdown. According to the study, poor sleep quality decreased after lockdown as opposed to lockdown, with improvements in sleep latency and decreased use of sleep duration. Conclusion: However, there was a weak correlation between PSQI score during and post-lockdown. Increased screen time during lockdown negatively affected sleep quality, emphasizing the importance of practicing sleep hygiene and promoting outdoor activities to reduce stress levels and improve mental health.

Effect of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Extract in Patients with Primary Insomnia: A Double-blind Randomized Study.

OBJECTIVE: Insomnia is a condition that causes sleep problems, and many people suffer from it. Patients with this disorder have difficulty with beginning or continuation of sleep, so they are exhausted all day long, and their performance reduces. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of capsules that contain tomato extract in patients with primary insomnia. METHODS: In this study, 70 patients with primary insomnia were assigned to 2 groups randomly: intervention and control. The intervention group used to take tomato capsules every night for 2 weeks, and the placebo one used to take placebo capsules every night for 2 weeks. All patients used to fill out Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires before and after the intervention. ISI and PSQI results were analyzed separately on SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients (35 in the intervention group and 35 in the control group), including 50 females and 20 males, were studied. Female to male ratio and the rate of unemployment were significantly higher in the intervention group (in both cases P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in other characteristics (Age, marital status, weight, height, education; in all cases P > 0.05). At the end of the study, the amount of actual sleep had increased, and the delay in falling asleep decreased in both groups; the two groups at the end of the study were not significantly different in terms of these two variables (P > 0.05). The ISI score in both groups decreased significantly at the end of the study, and the PSQI score in both groups decreased significantly at the end of the study (In both cases, P < 0.05). The absolute value of ISI score change in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001); But the absolute value of PSQI score change was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.102). Most importantly, the improvement of both ISI and PSQI scores in the intervention group was significantly better than the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that tomato capsules have sleep-inducing effects, although there was no significant difference in the amount of actual sleep, and the delay in falling sleep in the intervention group compared to the control group.

The Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Its Relationship to Sleep Quality in Saudi Arabia's General Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation measures on sleep quality and psychological distress in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Subjective sleep quality over the preceding 30 days was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to assess the psychological distress. RESULTS: The study included 836 participants. The median age was 28 years, 624 (74.64%) were females, and 158 (18.90%) were healthcare workers. Factors associated with poor sleep were recent changes in the sleep habits p = 0.004), anxiety or fear because of coronavirus news on social media p = 0.02), fear because there was no approved drug to treat COVID-19 p = 0.03), and unaware of the presence of chronic diseases p = 0.03). Female gender p = 0.02), fear or anxiety because of coronavirus news on social media p = 0.04), recent change in sleep habits (OR: 1.97 (1.15-3.39); p = 0.01), fear because there is no approved drug to treat COVID-19 p = 0.001), monthly income <1000 SR p = 0.01), and isolation p = 0.01) were associated with distress. PSQI and K10 scores were significantly correlated p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Poor sleep and psychological distress are common during the COVID-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Identifying factors associated with poor sleep and psychological distress would help develop specific intervention programs that enhance mental health and sleep quality during pandemics.