Effects of sleep and sleep deprivation on blood cell count and hemostasis parameters in healthy humans

Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of 24 h of sleep deprivation on hematologic parameters. Methods Ten healthy subjects (5 Men, 5 Women, 19-23 years old) were studied from 07: 00 on day 1 until 07: 00 on day 3 and allowed to have normal sleep during night 1 (providing control data) followed by staying awake from 07: 00 h on day 2 until 07: 00 h on day 3 (providing sleep deprivation data). Blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein on each day at 07.00 h. Blood cell counts were measured with an automated hematology analyzer. Hemostasis parameters included activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen level (FIB), which were analyzed with an autoanalyser. ANOVA test with repeated measures was performed. Results The white blood cell and neutrophil granulocyte counts were significantly higher (P < 0.01) and PT, APTT, and TT significantly shorter (P < 0.05) on day 3 (following sleep deprivation) than on days 1 or 2. Conclusion Sleep deprivation may worsen systemic inflammation and hypercoagulable states, which are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease.