Association of inflammatory markers with cardiovascular risk and sleepiness.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that disturbances in sleep and sleep disorders play a role in the morbidity of chronic conditions including obesity and hypertension as well as in the development of type-2 diabetes. This brief review examines the role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, it outlines the utility of inflammatory markers and, in particular, adhesion molecules as biomarkers for cardiovascular risk and the factors that affect their level in the circulation. It then discusses the relationship between sleep and markers of inflammation and the role of sleep in immune function.