Reduced Subjective Sleep Quality in People Rating Themselves as Electro-hypersensitive: An Observational Study

Abstract

Reduced Subjective Sleep Quality in People Rating Themselves as Electro-hypersensitive: An Observational Study Eicher C, Marty B, Achermann P, Huber R, Landolt H-P. Reduced Subjective Sleep Quality in People Rating Themselves as Electro-hypersensitive: An Observational Study (June 13, 2023). Available at SSRN: ssrn.com or dx.doi.org Note: This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Abstract Background: Disturbed sleep is a frequent health complaint of people exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly in individuals considering themselves as EMF hypersensitive (EHS). Exposure to EMF may affect brain functions such as sleep by increasing intracellular calcium upon activation of the L-type, voltage-gated Cav1.2 encoded by the gene CACNA1C. Allelic variants of CACNA1C were previously associated with impaired self-rated sleep latency and sleep quality. We aimed at replicating this association, and investigated whether EHS may be associated with CACNA1C gene variants and self-rated estimates of sleep quality. Methods: A total of 2'040 study participants (1'381 females) completed online, validated questionnaires on EMF sensitivity, subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and diurnal preference. They also provided a saliva sample for genotyping the variants rs7304986, rs16929277 and rs2302729 of CACNA1C. Participants endorsing the question "Are you electro-hypersensitive?" were considered as “EHS” (n=105), those believing to develop detrimental health symptoms due to prevailing electromagnetic pollution as “attributers” (n=254), and the remaining as “non-EHS” (n=1’406) . We combined the EHS and attributers into one group to obtain a binary variable and tested possible associations between CACNA1C variants, subjective sleep variables and EMF sensitivity using linear and logistic regression, with age, sex, level of education, presence of sleep disorders and habitual mobile phone use as covariates. Results: Consistent with previous reports, the T-allele of variant rs2302729 of CACNA1C was associated with reduced subjective sleep quality. The same variant was also associated with self-reported EMF sensitivity. Compared to non-EHS, EHS/attributers reported prolonged sleep latency and reduced sleep quality. Habitual mobile phone use was not associated with self-rated sleep latency and sleep quality. Conclusions: Both, subjective sleep quality and EMF sensitivity status were associated with variant rs2302729 of CACNA1C. Irrespective of reported EMF exposure, EHS/attributers rated sleep quality worse than non-EHS individuals. Funding Information: The study was funded by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (grant numbers: A2111.0239 & A200.0001). Conclusions Upon successful replication of a previously reported association between CACNA1C allelic variant rs2302729 and subjective sleep quality, we provide first evidence of an association between this variant and self-rated sensitivity to RF-EMF. We observed no mediation of EMF hypersensitivity on impaired sleep quality via rs2302729. Individuals with EHS consistently reported worse subjective sleep quality than non-EHS individuals, irrespective of reported EMF exposure by mobile phone calls, suggesting the presence of an insomnia-like phenotype in EHS/attributers. Open access paper: dx.doi.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 2,040 participants, the T-allele of CACNA1C variant rs2302729 was associated with reduced subjective sleep quality and was also associated with self-reported EMF sensitivity. Compared with non-EHS, EHS/attributers reported prolonged sleep latency and reduced sleep quality; habitual mobile phone use was not associated with self-rated sleep latency or sleep quality.

Outcomes measured

• Subjective sleep quality
• Self-rated sleep latency
• Daytime sleepiness
• Diurnal preference
• Self-reported EMF sensitivity (EHS/attributer status)
• CACNA1C genotypes (rs7304986, rs16929277, rs2302729)

Limitations

• Preprint noted as not peer reviewed
• Observational/cross-sectional design (associations only)
• EMF exposure assessed via self-reported habitual mobile phone use; no objective exposure metrics reported
• EHS classification based on endorsement of a single self-report question

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  Addresses RF-EMF-related health complaints (sleep) and self-reported EMF sensitivity, relevant to broader RF health evidence discussions.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Online study participants self-reporting EMF sensitivity status (EHS/attributers/non-EHS).",
    "sample_size": 2040,
    "outcomes": [
        "Subjective sleep quality",
        "Self-rated sleep latency",
        "Daytime sleepiness",
        "Diurnal preference",
        "Self-reported EMF sensitivity (EHS/attributer status)",
        "CACNA1C genotypes (rs7304986, rs16929277, rs2302729)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 2,040 participants, the T-allele of CACNA1C variant rs2302729 was associated with reduced subjective sleep quality and was also associated with self-reported EMF sensitivity. Compared with non-EHS, EHS/attributers reported prolonged sleep latency and reduced sleep quality; habitual mobile phone use was not associated with self-rated sleep latency or sleep quality.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
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        "Observational/cross-sectional design (associations only)",
        "EMF exposure assessed via self-reported habitual mobile phone use; no objective exposure metrics reported",
        "EHS classification based on endorsement of a single self-report question"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "no",
    "keywords": [
        "electro-hypersensitivity",
        "EHS",
        "radiofrequency",
        "RF-EMF",
        "sleep quality",
        "sleep latency",
        "mobile phone use",
        "CACNA1C",
        "rs2302729",
        "genotyping",
        "questionnaire",
        "observational study"
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