Iron Deficiency and Vitamin D Deficiency Are Associated with Sleep in Females of Reproductive Age: An Analysis of NHANES 2005–2018 Data

Iron and vitamin D deficiencies have been implicated in sleep disturbance. Although females are more susceptible to these deficiencies and frequently report sleep-related issues, few studies have examined these associations in females. This study investigates the association of iron and vitamin D deficiencies on sleep in a nationally representative sample of females of reproductive age. We used 2 samples of 20–49-y-old non-pregnant females from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2008 ( N = 2497) and NHANES 2005–2010 and 2015–2018 ( N = 6731) to examine the associations of iron deficiency (ID), iron deficiency anemia (IDA), vitamin D deficiency (VDD), vitamin D inadequacy (VDI), and the joint association of both deficiencies with sleep duration, latency, and quality. Sleep outcomes were measured using a self-reported questionnaire. We used the body iron model based on serum ferritin and serum soluble transferrin receptor to identify ID, along with hemoglobin to identify IDA cases. In addition, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were used to determine VDD and VDI cases. Logistic regression was used to evaluate these associations, adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, we assessed the multiplicative and additive interactions of both deficiencies. ID and IDA were associated with poor sleep quality, with 1.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 2.00)] and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.29, 3.38) higher odds, respectively, whereas VDD and VDI were significantly associated with short sleep duration, with 1.26 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.54) and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.44) higher odds, respectively. Subjects with both nutritional deficiencies had significantly higher odds of poorer sleep quality compared with subjects with neither condition. For sleep quality, a significant multiplicative interaction was observed between ID and VDD ( P value = 0.0005). No associations were observed between study exposures and sleep latency. Among females of reproductive age, iron and vitamin D deficiencies are associated with sleep health outcomes. The potential synergistic effect of both deficiencies warrants further assessment.