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Work Productivity Burden Among Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity Versus Controls Without Obstructive
Oralee J Varnado1, Birong Liao1, Michelle Jerry2
1From the Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (O.J.V., B.L., S.S.).
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity face a significantly higher risk of short-term disability and serious injuries. Effective management of weight and OSA can potentially lower these risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition often associated with obesity.
- The impact of co-occurring OSA and obesity on work-related outcomes and injury risk is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity with work loss, motor vehicle accidents, and serious injuries.
- To compare these outcomes in patients with OSA and obesity against matched controls without these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A matched-cohort study design was employed.
- Outcomes were compared between patients with OSA and obesity and controls matched on baseline demographics.
- Analyses were conducted overall and stratified by OSA severity.
Main Results:
- Patients with OSA and obesity were three times more likely to file short-term disability (STD) claims and incurred higher STD costs compared to controls.
- The prevalence of serious injuries was two-fold higher in the patient group.
- Significant differences were observed across all comparisons (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) combined with obesity presents an elevated risk for short-term disability and serious injuries.
- Managing both weight and OSA is crucial for mitigating the burden of these conditions and associated adverse outcomes.
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