Sleep Characteristics,Insomnia and Hypersomnolence Prevalence and Associated Factors in Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes in Andalusia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background:

Emerging adulthood (aged 18-29 years) is a critical period marked by social, academic, and work transitions. During this life stage, sleep patterns are easily changed, especially for those who live with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which increases the likelihood of sleep disorders.

Objectives:

We sought to (1) describe sleep characteristics in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Andalusia, Spain; (2) determine the prevalence of insomnia and hypersomnolence using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria; and (3) examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and diabetes-related factors with sleep satisfaction and symptoms of insomnia and hypersomnolence while controlling for potential confounders such as coexisting health conditions and the use of sleep aids.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study in Andalusia, Spain, from October 2021 to July 2022, involving 362 emerging adults aged 18 to 29 (67.4% female) with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Participants completed online forms for sociodemographic questions and the Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire.

Results:

The average sleep duration was 6.8 hours, with half of the participants expressing dissatisfaction. Sleep duration and biological sex predicted insomnia and hypersomnolence, while only sleep duration predicted sleep satisfaction. Common nocturnal awakenings were due to urination, noise, and hyper/hypoglycemia. Notably, 47.5% met DSM-5 criteria for insomnia and 6.9% for hypersomnolence.

Conclusions:

Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Andalusia frequently faced significant sleep challenges, including sleep dissatisfaction, insufficient sleep duration, insomnia, and hypersomnolence. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive sleep assessments in diabetes care, using DSM-5 criteria that can guide interventions to improve sleep quality and glycemic stability.