Perturbation of Circadian Rhythm Is Associated with Increased Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of the Korean Nationwide Population-Based Survey

Disturbances in circadian rhythms cause several health problems, such as psychosis, metabolic syndrome, and cancer; however, their effect on kidney disease remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sleep disturbance in a Korean adult population. A total of 17,408 participants who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2018 were assessed for their sleep patterns and renal function. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or a positive dipstick urinalysis. Sleep onset time and sleep duration showed significant differences between the control and CKD groups (p < 0.001). After adjusting for the covariates, sleep onset time rather than sleep duration was independently associated with incidence of CKD, and this association was more significant in people who were older, in women, and in those with low body mass index and no comorbidities. When comparing the prevalence of newly diagnosed CKD according to sleep onset time in a population with no CKD risk factors or no history of CKD, the early bedtime group showed an independent association with incidence of new CKD (odds ratio (OR), 1.535; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.011–2.330) even after adjusting for covariates. Impaired circadian rhythm along with sleep disturbance could be associated with CKD development; therefore, sleep disturbance might be an important therapeutic target for CKD.