Costly Toll of Sleep Problems

Sleep apnea, affecting an estimated 5% of the population, is a potentially life-threatening sleep disturbance.  Borge Sivetsten, from the University of Bergen (Norway), and colleagues examined the separate and combined effects of symptoms of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea on long-term sick leave.  The team used an historical cohort design with 4 years follow-up.  Information on sick leave was obtained from Norwegian official registry data, and merged with health information from the Hordaland Health Study (1997-99). A total of 6892 participants, ages 40-45, years were assessed for self-reported symptoms of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.  The researchers found that: “both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea alone were significant risk factors for subsequent sick leave, after adjusting for confounding factors;” and that: “Having both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea increased the risk of later sick leave.”