Work productivity in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

OBJECTIVES

Purpose of the study was to assess work productivity in otherwise healthy obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and to explore correlations between work productivity and different characteristics of OSA patients.

METHODS

Work productivity was assessed by the Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS) to 115 polysomnographically confirmed OSA patients of working age, without comorbidities. Daytime sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was revealed between EWPS and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores (r2 = 0.127, P < 0.001). Mean EWPS score was significantly higher in somnolent versus nonsomnolent OSA patients (31.2 +/- 16.2 vs 20.8 +/- 11, respectively; P < 0.001). No other sleep or anthropometric characteristic correlated with EWPS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the negative effect of daytime sleepiness on work productivity of otherwise healthy OSA patients, highlighting the need of screening for OSA and sleepiness among working individuals.