[Sleep disorders--a public health problem. Potential risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and premature aging].

A large proportion of the adult population complains over difficulties in falling asleep, difficulties in maintaining sleep, or early awakening. Despite the fact that sleep disorders may be secondary symptoms to established or subclinical disease processes, more and more evidence has now accumulated to support the notion that sleep disorders may also play a primary role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. This has recently been documented in association with metabolic disturbances and impaired insulin action following experimental sleep deprivation. Sleep disorders may finally prove to be part of the pathophysiological chain linking adverse psychosocial stress with the metabolic syndrome, and ultimately premature ageing and early mortality.