Impact of social jetlag and circadian patterns on patients with metabolic and nocturnal eating syndromes

Abstract

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MS) can result in many health hazards, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver, and several types of cancer. Social jetlag is a discrepancy between biological and social timing. Circadian rhythm disruption is suggested to disturb the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Disturbance of the HPA axis was reported to increase the risk of developing visceral obesity and MS. We hypothesized that social and circadian rhythm disruptions negatively impact patients with obesity and MS. This study aimed to detect the associations between obesity, MS, nocturnal eating syndrome, and social jetlag. Methods: One hundred obese patients were recruited (61 had MS). The patient group was compared to a healthy nonobese control group (n=50). Each studied patient was subjected to three questionnaires [Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire, Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), and Sleep Timing Questionnaire]; their anthropometric measures were taken, fasting lipid profile, liver, and kidney function tests, and fasting insulin were also assessed. Results: Patients with evening chronotype were mainly from the obese with MS group. NEQ total score was higher in obese patients with MS, and it showed a significant positive correlation with BMI. Total cholesterol, NEQ score, age, sleep latency, and awakening after sleep onset had significant associations with MS. Conclusion: Evening chronotype has a significant association with MS. Social jetlag negatively impacts obesity and MS, leading patients to have frequent nocturnal eating behaviors. Screening for sleep profile and social jetlag should be included in routine clinical practice of managing obesity.