2型糖尿病患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度与膳食脂肪的相关性

目的探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者视网膜神经纤维层(RNFL)厚度与膳食脂肪的相关性。方法选取就诊于哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院内分泌科的186例T2DM患者。收集入组患者的一般临床资料,包括年龄、性别、病程、既往史、吸烟饮酒史、入院血压、身高、体质量等,并计算体质量指数(BMI)等指标。记录糖化血红蛋白A1c、空腹C肽、血脂、肾功能等相关血化验结果,光学相干断层成像(OCT)测量RNFL厚度。入组人员填写半定量饮食频率问卷。采用SPSS 22.0软件进行统计学分析,Spearman秩相关分析各象限RNFL厚度与膳食脂肪量之间的相关关系;采用单元和多元线性回归分析双眼各象限RNFL厚度的独立影响因素。结果 (1)相关分析显示,畜禽肉及肉制品与视网膜上、下方RNFL厚度(上方:r=-0.192,P=0.009;下方:r=-0.286,P=0.000)显著负相关;软饮与眼睛上方及下方RNFL厚度(上方:r=-0.169,P=0.021;下方:r=-0.264,P=0.000)均显著负相关;血清甘油三酯与视网膜下方、鼻侧RNFL厚度(下方:r=-0.210,P=0.004;鼻侧:r=-0.150,P=0.041)均显著负相关;血清肌酐与视网膜上方及鼻侧RNFL厚度(上方:r=-0.159,P=0.032;鼻侧:r=-0.156,P=0.036)呈负相关;年龄也与眼睛上方及鼻侧RNFL厚度(上方:r=-0.169,P=0.021;鼻侧:r=-0.184,P=0.012)呈负相关关系。(2)单元线性回归分析表明,年龄、甘油三酯、血肌酐、畜禽肉及肉制品与T2DM患者RNFL厚度相关(P0.05)。在上述单元线性回归分析基础上,以T2DM患者各象限RNFL为因变量,以年龄、甘油三酯、血肌酐、禽畜肉及肉制品为自变量,行多元线性回归分析,结果显示甘油三酯(P=0.007)、禽畜肉及肉制品(P=0.021)是视网膜下方象限RNFL厚度的独立影响因素。年龄(P=0.013)、甘油三酯(P=0.044)为视网膜鼻侧象限RNFL厚度的独立影响因素。血肌酐(P=0.042)是眼睛颞侧象限RNFL厚度的独立影响因素。结论畜禽肉及肉制品的摄入量与T2DM患者RNFL厚度密切相关,饮食干预对预防T2DM视网膜病变有一定临床意义。     

OSAHS 患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度的研究

目的：评估 OSAHS 患者视网膜神经纤维层(retinal nerve fiber layer,RNFL)厚度变化。方法收集2014年6~10月于秦皇岛市第一医院初次应用多导睡眠监测仪诊断 OSAHS 患者共30例,选取健康体检患者15例,年龄30~50岁,无视野缺损,进行病例对照研究。应用光学相干断层成像(optical coherence tomography,OCT)测量患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度来评估 OSAHS 的 RNFL情况。结果与正常对照组比较,OSAHS 患者平均视网膜神经纤维层厚度降低,且差异有统计学意义,对照组(121.5±7.9)μm,OSHSA 组(116.3±8.3)μm (P <0.01),同样鼻侧也是降低的, OSAHS (70.4±3.8)μm,对照组(70.7±6.7)μm (P <0.05)。而上侧 OSAHS 组(140.2±8.3)μm,对照组(140.0±9.0)μm (P >0.05),下侧 OSAHS 组(140.5±8.3)μm,对照组(140.3±7.5)μm (P >0.05),颞侧 OSAHS 组(72.5±6.2)μm,对照组(72.2±5.3)μm 差异无统计学意义(P >0.05)。根据呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypopnea index,AHI)将患者分为三组,重度OSAHS 患者较轻度、中度 OSAHS 患者 RNFL 平均值明显降低(P <0.01),而轻度与中度组比较差异无统计学意义(P >0.05)。而三组患者上侧、下侧及颞侧 RNFL 差异无统计学意义。OSAHS 组黄斑厚度(173.3±4.7μm)与对照组比较(173.3±4.6)μm 变化不明显(P >0.05)。OSAHS 组与对照组黄斑体积差异无统计学意义,分别为(6.9±0.3)mm3,(6.8±0.3)mm3(P >0.05)。OSAHS患者 AHI 与 RNFL 呈负相关(r =-0.554,P <0.01)。夜间最低血氧饱和度与 RNFL 平均值成正相关(r =0.510,P <0.01)。结论 OSAHS 患者 RNFL 厚度平均值及鼻侧是降低的,RNFL 厚度与AHI 呈负相关,与夜间最低血氧饱和度呈正相关。     

原发性开角型青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度和视盘参数变化及其相关性分析

目的观察原发性开角型青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度和视盘参数变化,并分析其相关性。方法选取2015年7月—2016年12月在乐山市人民医院就诊的原发性开角型青光眼患者93例,共174只眼,根据Hart和Becker视野分期法分为早期组41例(49只眼)、中期组55例(69只眼)、晚期组38例(56只眼),如双眼视野损伤不一致则按照视野损伤程度分别列入不同组。使用光学相干断层成像术(OCT)检测患者视网膜神经纤维层(RNFI)厚度及视盘参数,并分析视盘参数与RNFI厚度的相关性。结果中期组和晚期组患者均值RNFL厚度、鼻侧RNFL厚度、上方RNFL厚度、颞侧RNFL厚度、下方RNFL厚度小于早期组,晚期组患者均值RNFL厚度、鼻侧RNFL厚度、上方RNFL厚度、颞侧RNFL厚度、下方RNFL厚度小于中期组(P<0.05)。中期组和晚期组患者盘沿面积低于早期组,杯盘比和垂直杯盘比高于早期组,视杯容积大于早期组(P<0.05);晚期组患者盘沿面积低于中期组,杯盘比和垂直杯盘比高于中期组,视杯容积大于中期组(P<0.05)。3组患者视盘面积比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,盘沿面积与RNFL厚度呈正相关(P<0.05);杯盘比和垂直杯盘比与RNFL厚度呈负相关(P<0.05);除鼻侧RNFL厚度外,视杯容积与其他RNFL厚度呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论原发性开角型青光眼随病程发展RNFL厚度逐渐变薄、盘沿面积逐渐减少、杯盘面积比逐渐扩大,且RNFL厚度与视盘参数变化有关。     

原发性开角型青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度和视盘参数变化及其相关性分析

目的观察原发性开角型青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度和视盘参数变化,并分析其相关性。方法选取2015年7月—2016年12月在乐山市人民医院就诊的原发性开角型青光眼患者93例,共174只眼,根据Hart和Becker视野分期法分为早期组41例(49只眼)、中期组55例(69只眼)、晚期组38例(56只眼),如双眼视野损伤不一致则按照视野损伤程度分别列入不同组。使用光学相干断层成像术(OCT)检测患者视网膜神经纤维层(RNFI)厚度及视盘参数,并分析视盘参数与RNFI厚度的相关性。结果中期组和晚期组患者均值RNFL厚度、鼻侧RNFL厚度、上方RNFL厚度、颞侧RNFL厚度、下方RNFL厚度小于早期组,晚期组患者均值RNFL厚度、鼻侧RNFL厚度、上方RNFL厚度、颞侧RNFL厚度、下方RNFL厚度小于中期组(P0.05)。中期组和晚期组患者盘沿面积低于早期组,杯盘比和垂直杯盘比高于早期组,视杯容积大于早期组(P0.05);晚期组患者盘沿面积低于中期组,杯盘比和垂直杯盘比高于中期组,视杯容积大于中期组(P0.05)。3组患者视盘面积比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,盘沿面积与RNFL厚度呈正相关(P0.05);杯盘比和垂直杯盘比与RNFL厚度呈负相关(P0.05);除鼻侧RNFL厚度外,视杯容积与其他RNFL厚度呈负相关(P0.05)。结论原发性开角型青光眼随病程发展RNFL厚度逐渐变薄、盘沿面积逐渐减少、杯盘面积比逐渐扩大,且RNFL厚度与视盘参数变化有关。     

老年青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度与视野缺损的相关性

目的探讨老年青光眼患者视网膜神经纤维层厚度(RNFL)与视野缺损的相关性。方法将收集到的老年青光眼患者60例(60眼)按照缺损情况分为早中期缺损组(34眼)和重度缺损组(26眼),对两组患者的视野缺损和RNFL厚度进行检测,比较两组之间的差别以及视野缺损和RNFL厚度相关性分析。结果重度视野缺损的RNFL厚度中平均厚度、上方180°厚度、下方180°厚度相应较早中期视野缺损组的低,两组差异显著(P<0.05)。重度视野缺损的平均视野缺损、上方半视野、下方半视野缺损的程度相应的都较早中期视野缺损组的程度大(P<0.05)。早中期视野缺损组中平均的RNFL厚度与平均视野缺损、上方180°厚度与下方半视野、下方180°厚度与下方半视野均呈现负相关关系(P<0.05),重度视野缺损组中平均的RNFL厚度与平均视野缺损、上方180°厚度与下方半视野、下方180°厚度与下方半视野均均无明显的相关关系(P>0.05)。结论老年人随着青光眼病情的加重RNFL厚度逐渐降低,视野缺损逐渐的加重,早中期视野缺损患者RNFL厚度与视野缺损呈负相关,晚期青光眼患者RNFL厚度与视野缺损无显著的相关关系。     

糖尿病患者视网膜神经节细胞复合体和神经纤维层厚度的变化

目的观察2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者中视网膜神经纤维层(RNFL)和神经节细胞复合体(GCC)厚度的变化,分析其神经结构与微循环之间的相关关系。方法采用横断面回顾性研究,入选2型糖尿病患者45例71眼、健康受试者36例68眼。采用光学相干断层扫描血管成像技术(OCTA)检测黄斑部的GCC厚度、视盘周围RNFL厚度、视网膜脉络膜毛细血管丛的微血管密度。观察不同分期糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)患眼中RNFL和GCC厚度变化,分析它们与微血管密度的相关关系。结果与对照组相比,NDR组(无DR的糖尿病患者)GCC中局部丢失体积(FLV,P=0.00)、整体丢失体积(GLV,P=0.00)显著升高,可能是视网膜神经结构损伤的早期敏感指标。与对照组相比,轻中度非增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变(NPDR)组的下侧和鼻侧象限RNFL显著变薄(P=0.00),可能是RNFL丢失的敏感区域。重度NPDR组中鼻侧象限RNFL仍然显著变薄,但下侧、颞侧象限RNFL显著增厚(P=0.00)。增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变(PDR)组中RNFL和GCC大部分参数普遍增厚(P=0.00),可能与视网膜水肿导致的视网膜增厚有关。Spearman分析显示GCC、RNFL厚度与视网膜厚度呈正相关。此外,GCC及RNFL厚度与视网膜脉络膜毛细血管包括浅层毛细血管丛(SCP)、深层毛细血管丛(DCP)和脉络膜层毛细血管丛(CCP)的密度呈负相关。结论 GCC的FLV和GLV局限性丢失,可能是评价早期视网膜神经结构损伤的敏感指标。随DR的进展,RNFL厚度呈现先变薄后增厚的趋势,还需要扩大样本量进一步研究。     

OCT在老年青光眼早期诊断中的应用

目的 通过检测视网膜神经纤维层厚度(RNFL)及视盘结构参数,结合视野改变,探讨光学相关断层成像术(OCT)在青光眼早期诊断中的价值.方法 采用OCT对正常人10眼、疑似青光眼患者34眼,慢性闭角型青光眼(CACG)早中期患者36眼进行视盘扫描及以视乳头中心为圆心、直径为3.4 mm的环形扫描,观察各组人群的OCT图像特征.分别比较各组受检者的各象限RNFL厚度、视乳头水平、垂直杯盘比及杯/盘面积比,平均RNFL厚度与视野指数进行直线回归和相关分析.结果 OCT检测正常人、疑似青光眼和CACG早中期三组间各象限RNFL厚度、各视盘参数均有显著性差异(P<0.05).平均RNFL厚度与视野平均缺损值(MD)呈强的且正的直线关系.结论 OCT能够早期反映RNFL厚度及视盘的改变,与视野检查有较好的相关性,可以作为青光眼早期诊断的方法 .     

高度近视患者双手超声乳化后视网膜神经纤维层和节细胞复合体厚度的变化

目的探讨双手超声乳化手术对高度近视合并白内障患者视网膜神经纤维层(retinal nerve fiber layer,RNFL)和视网膜神经节细胞复合体(ganglion cell compound,GCC)厚度的影响。方法选取30例(46眼)行双手超声乳化手术的高度近视患者。于术前及术后1周、1月应用OCT检测视盘旁RNFL和GCC厚度,扫描模式为视盘ONH及GCC程序。比较术后1周、1月RNFL和GCC厚度与术前的差异。结果术后1周视盘旁3.45mm直径范围内RNFL厚度为(89.7±17.0)μm,与术前(86.5±13.3)μm相比较术前轻度变厚,差异有统计学意义(P=0.015);术后1月RNFL厚度为(86.7±14.3)μm,与术前比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.780)。术后1周GCC平均厚度为(95.4±12.4)μm,与术前(91.3±11.1)μm比较较术前轻度变厚,差异有统计学意义(P=0.004);术后1月GCC平均厚度为(90.8±10.9)μm,与术前比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.176)。结论在高度近视的白内障患者中双手超声乳化术对患者的眼底视网膜影响较小且可逆,是一种安全的手术方式,但远期影响仍需进一步观察。     

丹红注射液联合激光光凝治疗老年糖尿病视网膜病变的效果及对视网膜神经厚度的影响

目的观察丹红注射液联合激光光凝治疗老年糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)疗效及对视网膜神经纤维层(RNFL)厚度的影响。方法采用前瞻性研究方法,选取老年DR患者82例随机分为对照组和治疗组,各41例。对照组单纯予以视网膜光凝治疗,在此基础上,治疗组加用丹红注射液治疗。观察两组临床疗效,并对比两组治疗前后眼科常规检测结果、RNFL厚度、血清细胞因子、氧化应激等指标。结果治疗组临床疗效(93.65%)明显高于对照组(68.33%,χ~2=12.96,P=0.00);治疗6 w后,治疗组视盘上方、下方、颞侧、鼻侧及全周360°RNFL厚度均明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组眼科检测结果视野灰度值、出血斑面积、血管瘤体积及血清β2糖蛋白(β2-GP)Ⅰ、基质细胞衍生因子(SDF)-1、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、内皮素(ET)-1均明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(TAC)水平明显高于对照组,丙二醛(MDA)水平则明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论丹红注射液联合激光光凝可明显减少老年DR患者RNFL厚度并阻滞视网膜血管增殖,减轻机体氧化应激反应,有助于患者整体病情的改善。     

幽门螺杆菌感染与保定地区原发性青光眼的相关性

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染与原发性闭型青光眼(PACG)及原发性开角型青光眼(POAG)的相关性。方法选取保定地区2013年5月至2016年5月83例POAG患者、82例PACG患者及50例健康志愿者,所有受试者均接受14C-尿素呼气试验进行Hp检测,同时所有患者均进行光学相干断层成像(OCT)检查视网膜神经纤维层(RNFL)厚度。结果 POAG组、PACG组、健康对照组14C-尿素呼气试验Hp阳性率分别为73.5%、52.4%、34.0%,组间两两比较均有统计学差异(P0.05);大、中、小视盘RNFL全周厚度在三组间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),与健康对照组比较,POAG组与PACG组的大、中、小视盘RNFL全周厚度均明显减小(P0.05),且POAG组明显低于PACG组(P0.05);直线相关分析发现,POAG组Hp浓度与RNFL厚度呈负相关(r=-0.488,P0.05);PACG组也呈现负相关关系,但是无统计学意义(r=-0.013,P0.05)。结论保定地区POAG与Hp感染可能密切相关,可能Hp感染为POAG的重要危险因素。     

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Alcoholics: Association with Age

Sleep apnea and related disorders are not uncommon in abstinent alcoholics. We assessed the relationship between age and the presence and severity of sleep-disordered breathing in alcoholism by performing one night of polysomnography on 75 abstinent alcoholic subjects undergoing treatment for alcoholism. Sleep-disordered breathing (defined as 10 or more apneas plus hypopneas/hr of sleep) was present in 17% of 66 men aged 22–76 and in 0 of 9 women aged 28–63 years. Three percent of men under age 40 years had sleep-disordered breathing compared with 25% of men between ages 40–59 and 75% of those above age 60. Although alcoholics with sleep-disordered breathing had a higher body mass index than those without, the increased frequency over age 40 was statistically significant after controlling for the effects of body mass index. Sleep in subjects with sleep-disordered breathing was significantly more disturbed than in subjects without sleep-disordered breathing. Our findings suggest that sleep-disordered breathing in older male alcoholics is more prevalent than has been reported in most studies of normal men and that the increase in sleep-disordered breathing that occurs with age in alcoholics is greater than the age-related increase in sleep-disordered breathing that occurs in healthy elderly men. Furthermore, sleep-disordered breathing is a significant contributor to sleep disturbance in a substantial proportion of male alcoholics above the age of 40 years. Sleep-disordered breathing, when combined with existing cardiovascular risk factors and alcohol use, may contribute to the increased risk of stroke and mortality that occurs in alcohol users. Although none of the women alcoholics in this study had sleep-disordered breathing, a reliable estimate of the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in women alcoholics will require additional studies.     

Obstructive sleep apnea related to rapid-eye-movement or non-rapid-eye-movement sleep: comparison of demographic,anthropometric, and polysomnographic features

Objective

: To determine whether there are significant differences between rapid-eye-movement (REM)-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and non-REM (NREM)-related OSA, in terms of the demographic, anthropometric, and polysomnographic characteristics of the subjects.

Methods

: This was a retrospective study of 110 patients (75 males) with either REM-related OSA (n = 58) or NREM-related OSA (n = 52). To define REM-related and NREM-related OSA, we used a previously established criterion, based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): AHI-REM/AHI-NREM ratio > 2 and ≤ 2, respectively.

Results

: The mean age of the patients with REM-related OSA was 49.5 ± 11.9 years, whereas that of the patients with NREM-related OSA was 49.2 ± 12.6 years. The overall mean AHI (all sleep stages combined) was significantly higher in the NREM-related OSA group than in the REM-related OSA group (38.6 ± 28.2 vs. 14.8 ± 9.2; p < 0.05). The mean AHI in the supine position (s-AHI) was also significantly higher in the NREM-related OSA group than in the REM-related OSA group (49.0 ± 34.3 vs. 18.8 ± 14.9; p < 0.0001). In the NREM-related OSA group, the s-AHI was higher among the men. In both groups, oxygen desaturation was more severe among the women. We found that REM-related OSA was more common among the patients with mild-to-moderate OSA, whereas NREM-related OSA was more common among those with severe OSA.

Conclusions

: We found that the severity of NREM-related OSA was associated mainly with s-AHI. Our findings suggest that the s-AHI has a more significant effect on the severity of OSA than does the AHI-REM. When interpreting OSA severity and choosing among treatment modalities, physicians should take into consideration the sleep stage and the sleep posture.     

Sleep disturbances and risk of falls in an old Chinese population-Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study

BackgroundTo explore the relationship between sleep disturbances and falls in an elderly Chinese population.MethodsData from 1726 individuals aged 70–87 years from the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study were used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep variables. Outcomes were falls ≥1 time per year and falls ≥2 times per year.ResultsA total of 22.7% of the participants experienced ≥1 fall, and 9.8% experienced ≥2 falls per year. Poor sleep quality was associated with ≥1 fall (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05–1.12; OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.14–1.41) and ≥2 falls (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.14; OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.48), with an increase per PSQI score and SD PSQI score, respectively. In addition, sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbance subcomponents were associated with an increased risk of ≥1 fall with ORs of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.21–1.72), 1.23 (95%CI,1.09–1.40), 1.12 (95%CI, 1.01–1.23) and 1.70 (95% CI,1.35–2.14), respectively, and were associated with an increased risk of ≥2 falls with ORs 1.54 (95%CI, 1.22–1.96), 1.21(95%CI, 1.02–1.44), 1.17 (95% CI 1.02–1.33), and 1.78 (95%CI, 1.31–2.44), respectively. Further, participants slept ≤5 h per night had an increased risk of ≥1 fall (OR 2.34; 95%CI, 1.59–3.46) and ≥2 falls (OR 2.19; 95%CI, 1.30–3.69).ConclusionsPoor sleep quality and several subcomponent sleep symptoms were consistently associated with increased risk of falls ≥1 time and ≥2 times in Chinese elderly. The identification of sleep disturbances may help identify high-risk Chinese elders who may benefit from fall prevention education.     

原发性高血压患者非杓型血压与睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的关系

目的探讨睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(SAS)是否与原发性高血压患者非杓型血压有关,及睡眠结构特点和对降压药物的反应.方法门诊轻中度原发性高血压患者用药前或停服降压药2周后,同步进行24小时动态血压和夜间多导睡眠检查,选出非杓型和杓型血压者各15例为研究组和对照组,比较呼吸紊乱指数、睡眠结构和对药物降压治疗反应的差异.结果研究组和对照组在呼吸紊乱指数(P＜0.001)、微觉醒次数(P＜0.05)、深浅睡眠期(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)方面有显著性差异,研究组对单纯药物降压没有明显效果.结论SAS引起患者微觉醒次数增多,形成片断睡眠,是非杓型血压原因之一,单纯药物治疗不能改善这些患者增高的血压.     

Sleep-disordered breathing in alcoholics

Sleep apnea and related disorders contribute to disturbed sleep in abstinent alcoholics. In an earlier report from our group, sleep-disordered breathing was common and increased with age in a cohort of 75 abstinent alcoholics. We now report an extension of the previous work that includes studies of an additional 103 abstinent alcoholics undergoing treatment for alcoholism (total sample = 188) and a comparison group of 87 normal subjects. The presence and severity of sleep-disordered breathing was assessed with polysomnography. Among the alcoholics, sleep-disordered breathing (defined as 10 or more apneas plus hypopneas per hour of sleep) was present in 3% of 91 subjects under age 40, 17% of 83 subjects age 40 to 59, and 50% of 14 subjects age 60 or over. Subjects with sleep-disordered breathing were more likely to be male and had more severe sleep disruption and nocturnal hypoxemia and more complaints related to daytime sleepiness than subjects without sleep-disordered breathing. In a multiple linear regression analysis, age and body mass index were significant predictors of the presence of sleep-disordered breathing, whereas smoking history and duration of heavy drinking were not predictors after controlling for the effects of age and body mass index. Our findings suggest that sleep-disordered breathing contributes significantly to sleep disturbance in a substantial proportion of older alcoholics and that symptomatic sleep-disordered breathing increases with age in alcoholics. Sleep-disordered breathing, when combined with existing cardiovascular risk factors, may contribute to adverse health consequences in alcoholics.     

Age impairments in sleep, metabolic and immune functions

Age-related sleep impairments are chronic and common, occurring even in the absence of diagnosable disorders. Additional loss of sleep occurs with clinical sleep disorders, many of which can be ameliorated. This literature, reviewed below, raises the question of the possible biological consequences of age-related, chronic sleep loss, an area that is poorly understood at present. Some of the more age-relevant theories about sleep loss will be explored in a review of current research on sleep deprivation arising from normal aging, experimental induction and pathology. The biological consequences of sleep deprivation in young adults include metabolic, systemic inflammatory and immune changes that are similar to those of aging and age-related disorders. The possibility that chronic sleep impairment contributes to age changes in metabolism, systemic inflammation and immunocompetence is explored.