Detecting chronotype differences associated to latitude: a comparison between Horne-Ostberg and Munich Chronotype questionnaires

作者：Miguel Mario^*; de Oliveira Valeria Clarisse; Pereira Danyella; Pedrazzoli Mario

来源：Annals of Human Biology, 2014, 41(2): 105-108.

DOI：10.3109/03014460.2013.832795

• Chronotype
• circadian rhythm
• sleep

Background: Chronotype, phase preference to perform activities during a 24-hour day, represents distinct circadian temporal organization of living organisms. Morning and evening types can be identified by questionnaires such as Horne and Ostberg (HO) and Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Environmental factors, such as different light-dark cycles experienced at different latitudes, interact with the organisms' circadian timekeeping system. Therefore, chronotype is expected to vary as a result of different geographical locations.
Aim: To identify differences in chronotype distribution in populations of two Brazilian cities, Natal and Sao Paulo, located at different latitudes.
Subjects and methods: Two specific questionnaires, the Horne and Ostberg Questionnaire (HO) and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), were used to identify chronotypes of undergraduate students from Sao Paulo and Natal.
Results: The comparison of the curve distributions of HO and MCTQ scores between both cities allowed one to observe that, while HO curves of Sao Paulo and Natal overlapped, MCTQ curves showed a clear shift towards eveningness in Sao Paulo.
Conclusion: This experiment confirmed results from previous studies that the farther away from the equator, the longer the delay of the sleep phase. It was also concluded that MCTQ is better at detecting this phenomenon.

• 出版日期2014-4