Sleep deprivation can result from poor quality of sleep and/or reduced sleep duration. Sleep
deprivation can be categorized as acute total, acute partial, and chronic partial sleep deprivation depending on the
amount and chronicity of the sleep loss. Recent research has emphasized on the impact of chronic partial sleep
deprivation on health and well-being, suggesting this type of sleep deprivation is clinically relevant in modern
society. Chronic partial sleep deprivation is estimated to affect between 7.5-20% of the general population and
has numerous underlying causes, though recent studies associate the duration of work hours most strongly with
loss of sleep. The effects of both acute and chronic partial sleep deprivation on the physiology of major body
systems are discussed in this chapter with an emphasis on emerging data regarding chronic partial sleep
deprivation. Neurobehavioral, cognitive, autonomic, cardiovascular, endocrinological, and immune system
consequences of sleep deprivation are reviewed.
