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As part of the University of Colorado Department of Medicine’s annual Research Day, held on April 23, faculty member Christine Swanson, MD, MCR, presented findings from her National Institutes of Health-funded clinical research probing the potential connection between adequate sleep and osteoporosis prevention.
“Osteoporosis can manifest for various reasons such as hormonal shifts, aging, and lifestyle choices,” stated Swanson, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes. “However, some patients exhibit osteoporosis without a clear cause. Hence, it’s crucial to explore novel risk factors, including changes that occur across the lifespan, such as sleep.”
Swanson outlined how bone density and sleep patterns alter over time, emphasizing that peak bone mineral density, reached in one’s early to mid-20s, significantly impacts fracture susceptibility later in life. Subsequently, bone density remains relatively stable for decades before declining, notably during menopausal transitions for women and with aging for men.
Concurrently, sleep patterns evolve, with total sleep time decreasing and changes occurring in sleep composition and circadian preferences as individuals age. Swanson elucidated that genes governing the internal clock are present in bone cells, influencing bone turnover rhythms, which are vital for normal bone metabolism.
To delve deeper into this relationship, Swanson and her team investigated how bone turnover markers responded to cumulative sleep restriction and circadian disruption. Participants lived in a controlled inpatient environment, subjected to a 28-hour day cycle simulating rotating night shift work, resulting in reduced sleep.
The study revealed significant detrimental changes in bone turnover markers, particularly declines in bone formation markers, more pronounced in younger individuals of both sexes. Young women exhibited notable increases in bone resorption markers, suggesting a potential heightened susceptibility to poor sleep’s impact on bone health.
Swanson emphasized the significance of these findings, noting the possibility of increased bone loss, osteoporosis, and fracture risk over time due to diminished bone formation despite sustained or heightened bone resorption, especially in younger women.
Research in this domain continues, underscoring the importance of understanding the intricate interplay between sleep, circadian rhythms, and bone health to mitigate osteoporosis risk effectively.
