SUN-847 - Impact of Sleep Disorders on the Endocrine and Metabolic Functions

Background: Sleep is essential for life. Several factors are involved in sleep regulation including diet and hormones. There are bidirectional interactions between sleep and hormones. This review presents an update on the impact of sleep disorders on the endocrine and metabolic functions.

Methods: A systematic search of literature was conducted for the period 2003 to 2025 using the search terms sleep, sleep disorders, impact, endocrine function, and metabolic function.

Results: Sleep plays an important biological role. It allows the maintenance of good health by restoring energy, enforcing immunity, and consolidating memory. The synthesis, secretion, and release of several hormones follow a circadian rhythm and are regulated by sleep. In return, hormones can impact the sleep. During normal sleep, there is an increase in the secretion of multiple hormones including melatonin, growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone, and leptin, and a decrease in the secretion of cortisol. Sleep disorders are common clinical conditions. They include insomnia, short sleep (less than 6 hours/day), long sleep (more than 9 hours/day), narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and circadian rhythm disorders (caused by jet lag or night shift work). Sleep disorders can significantly affect the endocrine and metabolic systems and promote multiple endocrine and metabolic diseases. Sleep disorders can cause an increase in cortisol and a decrease in testosterone. Short sleep and long sleep are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes but the contribution of weight-regulating and glucose-regulating hormones (e.g., leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and insulin) to these disorders requires further investigations. Short sleep reduces the production of reproductive hormones in both males and females and causes infertility. People with OSA are at increased risk of several endocrine and metabolic diseases such as hyperprolactinemia, hypercortisolism, hyperaldosteronism, type 2 diabetes, hypogonadism with infertility, and obesity. The restauration of a normal sleep with healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, regular sleep hours), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy (in case of OSA), and management of hormonal abnormalities and obesity (when indicated) may help preventing or reversing the above diseases.

Conclusion: Sleep disorders can impact the secretion of several hormones and promote several endocrine and metabolic diseases including hyperprolactinemia, hypercortisolism, hyperaldosteronism, type 2 diabetes, hypogonadism, and obesity. Lifestyle modifications, CPAP therapy (in case of OSA), and hormonal control and weight loss (as necessary) can prevent or correct sleep disorders and the subsequent diseases.

*Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO must not be released to the press or the public until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.*