Objectively measured sleep parameters and bone health: results from the Human Phenotype Project (HPP) cohort
Authors' conclusion
OSA appears to be associated with reduced BMD and BMC, even in individuals without other major health conditions.
Study context
- Population
- Participants aged 40–70 years in the Human Phenotype Project (HPP) cohort; sleep measured by a sleep apnea monitoring device, bone mineral density (BMD)/bone mineral content (BMC) by DXA at various skeletal sites
- Participants
- 4,690 participants
- Outcome
- Associations of objectively measured sleep characteristics (total sleep time, mean oxygen saturation, sleep efficiency, OSA indices RDI, AHI, ODI) with BMD and BMC by DXA
Methodological detailsmultivariable linear regression, age interaction and age-stratified analyses
- Multivariable linear regression
- Age interaction and age-stratified analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) indices (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), RDI) showed linear or non-linear inverse associations with BMD or BMC at most bone sites
- Negative associations of AHI and ODI with spine outcomes were non-linear, stronger at higher index ranges
- Total sleep time inversely associated with BMC of legs, femoral neck and femoral shaft, with consistent estimates for BMD
- U-shaped associations between total sleep time and BMC of both arms and spine L2
- Oxygen saturation positively associated with BMD and BMC of total body, arms, head and spine
- Sleep efficiency showed no association with any outcomes
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Age-stratified analyses
- Stronger estimates in younger participants
Original publication
Objectively measured sleep parameters and bone health: results from the Human Phenotype Project (HPP) cohort. Osteoporos Int. Published 29 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →