Sleep and 24-hour rest-activity rhythms linked to reduced kidney function in older rural Chinese adults
In a baseline survey of 1,493 older adults in rural China, several sleep and rest-activity rhythm measures were associated with reduced kidney function; stable rhythms showed lower odds regardless of sleep duration. These are associations from one cross-sectional baseline, not causes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study analyzed baseline data from 1,493 participants of a cohort in rural China. [1]
Interdaily stability, the least active 5-hour span and the most active 10-hour span were inversely associated with reduced kidney function. [1]
The stable rhythm group had lower odds than the unstable group regardless of sleep duration. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional analysis of baseline cohort data (abstract).
- Population / context
- Older adults in rural China (1,493 baseline participants).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 2, 2026
Baseline survey of 1,493 older rural Chinese adults
The study analyzed baseline data from 1,493 participants of the Rural Physical Activity Behavior and Healthy Aging Cohort in rural China. It examined sleep and 24-hour rest-activity rhythm parameters: total sleep time, wakefulness after sleep onset, interdaily stability, intradaily variability, the least active 5-hour span, the most active 10-hour span and relative amplitude. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test independent and joint associations with reduced kidney function.
Supporting source [1]
Rhythm stability and sleep duration showed opposite directions
In independent analyses, interdaily stability, the least active 5-hour span and the most active 10-hour span were inversely associated with reduced kidney function (odds ratios 0.13, 0.89 and 0.97). Intradaily variability and total sleep time were positively associated (odds ratios 2.90 and 1.35). In joint analyses, moderate and short sleep groups had lower odds than the long sleep group, and the stable rhythm group had lower odds than the unstable group regardless of sleep duration.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional baseline cannot establish causation
The authors describe these as associations and suggest that stable rest-activity rhythms may matter for early prevention and management of reduced kidney function in this population. Because the data come from a single baseline survey, the timing and direction of any relationship remain unclear, and the findings cannot show that changing sleep or activity rhythms would prevent reduced kidney function. Only the abstract was reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Data come from a single cross-sectional baseline survey, so associations cannot establish causation or the direction of any relationship.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Zhou J, Gao J, Yin S, Zhao N, Du L, Xue X, He Q, Chen S, Zhang X. · europepmc.org · September 2, 2026