Rhythms and risks: Examining the relationship between circadian patterns and nicotine and alcohol use among medical students

Year 2026, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 73 - 79, 28.01.2026

Özlem Tanrıöver , Seyhan Hıdıroğlu , Mahmut Batman , Aslihan Sayar Aliye Caglar Esma Gundag Cagin Bora Cesmeli Zeynep Ozturk Deniz Yalcinbayir , Pınar Ay

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.1873572

Abstract

Objective: Chronotype refers to an individual’s natural preference for sleep and wake times, which reflects their internal circadian
rhythm. It determines whether a person feels more alert and active in the morning, in the evening, or follows a more intermediate
pattern. The aim of the study was to identify a potential association between chronotypes and the consumption of nicotine and highrisk
alcohol use among medical students.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between May 2024 and June 2024 via an online platform (Google Forms) among
medical students in Marmara University. Horne-Ostberg’s Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire form was used to determine the
circadian rhythm characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the associations of nicotine and
high-risk alcohol use with chronotype.
Results: A total of 323 medical students participated in the survey. Of the respondents, 198 (61.3%) had an intermediate chronotype,
69 (21.4%) had a morning chronotype, and 56 (17.3%) had an evening chronotype. It was observed that students with an evening
chronotype had a statistically significantly higher rate of regular nicotine use compared to those with a morning chronotype (OR=3.62,
p=0.04) and a high-risk alcohol use (OR=4.49, p=0.015).
Conclusion: Assessing the evening type population among medical students may be a specific target for educational health promotion
interventions aimed at preventing or reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption.

Keywords

Circadian rhythm , Chronotype , Nicotine , Alcohol , Medical students

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