The siesta and mortality: twelve years of prospective observations in 70-year-olds.
OBJECTIVE
To examine effect of siesta on mortality.


METHODS
A 12 years prospective cohort.


METHODS
Population sample.


METHODS
Residents of Jerusalem (n=455), 70 year olds.


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
There were more males in the group with the siesta (n=276), 68% and more (16%) past myocardial infarction than those without the siesta, 6% (n=179) p < 0.01. After 12 years 147 subjects died. Survival was 64% in people practicing the siesta, and 74%, who did not p = 0.005. In a Cox proportional hazard model, that included many confounding factors hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 1.6 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.7, for those who napped. After exclusion of the 19 subjects who died during the first 2 years of follow-up, the hazard ratio was not materially altered, HR of 1.6 95% CI, 1.0-2.6.


CONCLUSIONS
Although causality is not clear, the siesta appears to be a significantly independent mortality predictor.
Bursztyn
Michael
M
Hypertension Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, P.O. Box 24035, Jerusalem 91240, Israel. bursz@cc.huji.ac.il
Stessman
Jochanan
J
D000368:Aged; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002423:Cause of Death; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012146:Rest; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate