Association of Gut Microbiota With Objective Sleep Measures in Women With and Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: The IDOze Study

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep health is an underrecognized health challenge, especially for people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Gut microbiota related to sleep are underinvestigated.

Methods: The IDOze microbiota substudy included 190 women (114 with HIV and 76 without HIV). Wrist actigraphy measured total sleep duration, sleep efficiency, number of wake bouts, wake after sleep onset, fragmentation index, and sleep timing. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified gut microbial genera. Analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction was used to investigate cross-sectional associations between gut microbiota and sleep. Abundances of sleep-related gut microbial genera were compared between women with and without HIV.

Results: Enrichment of 7 short-chain fatty acid-producing genera (eg, Butyricimonas, Roseburia, and Blautia) was associated with lower fragmentation index. Enrichment of 9 genera (eg, Dorea) was associated with lower sleep efficiency and/or more wake after sleep onset. Enrichment of proinflammatory Acidaminococcus was associated with late sleep midpoint and offset time. These associations were largely consistent regardless of HIV status. The abundance of Butyricimonas was lower among women with HIV compared to those without HIV.

Conclusions: Seventeen genera were identified to be associated with sleep continuity or timing. Butyricimonas, a potentially beneficial genus associated with sleep continuity, was less abundant among women with HIV.

Keywords: HIV infection; gut microbiota; sleep; women.