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Neglected burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: workplace productivity loss in the USA and UK.

Neglected burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: workplace productivity loss in the USA and UK. Thorax Rehman, U., Ahn, Y., Yerushalmi, E., Abdelwahab, M., Eynon-Lewis, N., Liu, J., Sutton, L., Holsinger, F. C., Capasso, R., Côté, M. L., Cheong, R. C., Kotecha, B., Ohayon, M. M., Hafner, M., Lechner, M. 2026

Abstract

This study estimates the prevalence and workplace productivity burden of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome in the UK and USA, using self-reported breathing pauses and excessive daytime sleepiness as a proxy. The prevalence of OSA syndrome was 22.8% in the USA and 19.5% in the UK. Annual productivity losses were estimated at US$180.2 billion in the USA and £4.22 billion in the UK. In the UK and USA, individual-level productivity losses exceeded the cost of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, suggesting that improved identification, access to treatment and adherence could yield significant economic benefits in both countries.

View details for DOI 10.1136/thorax-2025-223550

View details for PubMedID 41735061