Background and aims: High prevalence of sleep disturbances have been reported in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aim of the present study was to assess sleep habits in adults with T1DM and to compare them within insulin regimen [insulin pump (CSII) vs. multiple injections (MDI)].
Methods: Adults with T1DM were cross-sectionally evaluated. Sleep habits were assessed with Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) (score 0-24, values ≥6 diagnosing insomnia) validated in the Greek population.
Results: In total 164 adults with T1DM [age: 37 (25, 48) years, Body Mass Index (BMI): 24.8 (21.9, 27.5) kg/m2, HbA1c 7.4 (6.8, 8.3) %] were enrolled. 85 patients were on CSII and 79 on MDI treatment. The groups didn’t differ regarding age and BMI. The median AIS score was 4 (2, 7), while the median duration of night sleep was 7 (6, 8) hours. Neither AIS nor sleep duration were significantly correlated with HbA1c. Insomnia was reported by 45% of the CSII group and 27% of the MDI (p=0.02). Furthermore, CSII compared to MDI users reported lower sleep quality (p=0.01) and lower night sleep duration (p=0.02). However, those with CSII and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) reported longer sleep duration and better sleep quality compared to those with CSII and without CGM (both p<0.05), but similar to MDI users.
Conclusions: In a group of well controlled adults with T1DM, individuals on CSII therapy reported shorter duration and lower quality of sleep compared to those on MDI therapy, a difference which was eliminated among CSII/CGM users.