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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005; 113(10): 563-567
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872944
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J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sleep Loss and the Development of Diabetes: A Review of Current Evidence

B. Schultes1 , S. Schmid1 , A. Peters1 , J. Born2 , H. L. Fehm1
  • 1Departments of Internal Medicine I, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
  • 2Departments of Neuroendocrinology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 23, 2005 First decision: July 21, 2005

Accepted: September 24, 2005

Publication Date:
30 November 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that short duration of sleep and sleep disturbances increase the risk of developing diabetes. The mechanism of this presumed adverse influence of sleep loss on glucose metabolism is not well understood yet. However, in diabetes research and diabetes care, the multitude of influences of sleep and sleep loss on glucose regulation has been largely neglected so far. Here, we provide a short overview of the current epidemiological and experimental evidence for a potential contribution of sleep loss to the development of diabetes.

Key words

Sleep disturbances - insulin secretion - insulin resistance - obesity - neuroendocrine stress systems

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MD Bernd Schultes

Department of Internal Medicine I
Medical University Luebeck

Ratzeburger Allee 160

23538 Luebeck

Germany

Phone: + 49(0)4515005096

Fax: + 49 (0) 45 15 00 36 40

Email: schultes@kfg.mu-luebeck.de