Associations of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness among police officers

Background: We aimed to examine the association of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) among 257 police officers, a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Sleep duration was estimated using actigraphic data and through self-reports. The mean maximum IMT was the average of the largest 12 values scanned bilaterally from three angles of the near and far wall of the common carotid, bulb, and internal carotid artery. Linear and quadratic regression models were used to assess the association of sleep duration with IMT. Results: Officers who had fewer than 5 or 8hr or more of objectively measured sleep duration had significantly higher maximum IMT values, independent of age. Self-reported sleep duration was not associated with either IMT measure. Conclusion: Attainment of sufficient sleep duration may be considered as a possible strategy for atherosclerosis prevention among police officers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1341-1351, 2013. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.