Association between sleep duration and thirst in a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

We aimed to examine the association between sleep duration and thirst level, indicator of altered hydration status. We performed a secondary analysis of the 2018 Korean Sleep-Headache Study, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted in the Republic of Korea. Of 2,501 participants who completed the survey, 2,468 were included in the final analysis (age, 47.9 ± 16.4 years; 49.8% male). Participants were categorized into the high- or low-thirst group based on self-reported thirst frequency. Sleep duration was grouped as ≤ 6, > 6-7, > 7-8, and > 8 h. Logistic regression assessed the relationship between sleep duration and high thirst, adjusting for multiple lifestyle and health variables. Short sleep duration (≤ 6 h) was significantly associated with high thirst (adjusted OR 1.69; 95% CI, 1.00-2.86; p = 0.049), compared to the reference group (> 7-8 h). Age-stratified analyses revealed that adults ≥ 50 years showed a significant association between sleep duration of > 6-7 h and high thirst (OR 2.26; 95% CI, 1.23-4.12; p = 0.01). Sensitivity analyses indicated diabetes and habitual snoring as key contributors, and depressive mood consistently predicted high thirst. These findings suggest a complex interplay between sleep, thirst perception, and hydration, potentially mediated by metabolic and sleep-related disorders.