Abstract

Background:

Nighttime aircraft noise may affect people’s sleep, yet large-scale evidence using objective and subjective measures remains limited.

Objective:

Our aim was to investigate associations between nighttime aircraft noise exposure and objectively measured sleep disturbance using a large UK cohort.

Methods:

We used data from 105,770 UK Biobank cohort participants exposed and unexposed to aircraft noise who lived in 44 local authority districts near 4 international airports in England. We used a generalized linear regression model to examine cross-sectional associations between aircraft noise Lnight (23:00 hours–07:00 hours) and 7-d actimetric measures collected 2013–2015 (𝑛=22,102). We also used Logit and generalized estimating equations models to examine associations between Lnight and self-reported sleep measures at enrollment (2006–2010) and follow-up (2012–2013). This approach allowed us to compare and contrast the results and support potential future meta-analyses on noise-related sleep disturbance.

Results:

Cross-sectional analyses of actimetric data suggested sleep disturbance associated with Lnight, showing higher level of movements during the least active continuous 8-h time period [β: 0.12 milligravitational units; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.013, 0.23]. We also saw disrupted sleep–wake cycles as indicated by index scores of lower relative amplitude (β: −0.006; 95% CI: −0.007, −0.005), poorer interdaily stability (β: −0.010; 95% CI: −0.014, −0.006), and greater intradaily variability (β: 0.021; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.023), comparing Lnight ≥55 dB with <45 dB. Repeated cross-sectional analyses found a 52% higher odds of more frequent daytime dozing [odds ratio (OR) =1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.75] for Lnight ≥55 dB in comparison with <45 dB, whereas the likelihood for more frequent sleeplessness was more uncertain (OR=1.13; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.39). Higher effect sizes were seen in preidentified vulnerable groups, including individuals >65y of age and those with diabetes or dementia.

Conclusion:

Individuals exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise experienced objectively higher levels of sleep disturbance and changes in sleep–wake cycle.

Read the full study here:

https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14156