Bisphenol-A and Sleep Adequacy among Adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Abstract

Study Objectives:

To evaluate bisphenol-A (BPA) level and its relationship to sleep adequacy in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

Methods:

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey whereby data were collected using in-person interviews, physical examination and laboratory testing. BPA level was measured in urine samples and analyzed as loge-transformed variable and in quartiles (< 0.9 ng/mL; 0.9 to < 1.9 ng/mL; 1.9 to < 3.7 ng/mL; 3.7+ ng/mL). Sleep adequacy was operationalized with three questions: “How much sleep do you usually get at night on weekdays or workdays?”, “Have you ever told a doctor or other health professionals that you have trouble sleeping?” and “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have a sleep disorder?” Sleep duration was further categorized as (< 6 h, ≥ 6 h); (< 7 h, 7–8 h, > 8 h); (< 5 h, 5–6 h, 7–8 h, ≥ 9 h). Linear, binary, and ordinal logistic regression models were constructed.

Results:

Loge-transformed BPA level was inversely related to sleep duration defined, in hours, as a continuous variable, a dichotomous variable (≥ 6, < 6), or an ordinal variable (≥ 9, 7–8, 5–6, < 5), after adjustment for confounders. Help-seeking behavior for sleep problems and diagnosis with sleep disorders were not significantly associated with loge-transformed BPA level in fully adjusted models.

Conclusions:

Loge-transformed BPA level may be associated with fewer hours of sleep among U.S. adults, with implications for prevention. Further research involving diverse populations are needed to confirm these study findings.

Significance

Among U.S. adults who participated in the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, an inverse relationship may exist between urinary loge-transformed bisphenol-A level and sleep duration, but not with diagnosis or treatment for sleep problems.

bisphenol-A, endocrine disruptor, sleep duration, sleep disorder, survey