title: The effect of OSAS on sick leave and work disability.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to examine the independent contribution of symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) to long-term sick leave and permanent work disability. Using a historical cohort design with 4 yrs of follow-up, information on sick leave and disability benefit recipiency were merged with health information from the Hordaland Health Study, carried out in western Norway during 1997-1999. Persons aged 40-45 yrs (n = 7,028) were assessed for self-reported symptoms of OSAS (snoring, breathing cessations and daytime sleepiness), body mass index, somatic conditions and other potential confounders. The outcomes, cumulative sick leave of > or =8 weeks and permanent work disability, were identified in records from the National Insurance Administration. After excluding participants with work disability at baseline, symptoms of OSAS were found to be a significant predictor of both subsequent long-term sick leave and permanent work disability. These effects remained significant after adjustment for a range of possible confounding factors. Daytime sleepiness showed the greatest explanatory power, followed by breathing cessations and snoring. It is concluded that self-reported symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome are an independent risk factor for subsequent long-term sick leave and permanent work disability. These findings need to be replicated using objective measures of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Christiesgt. 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway. borge.sivertsen@psykp.uib.no
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sivertsen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Overland
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glozier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bjorvatn
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Maeland
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mykletun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012913:Snoring; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires