Abstract
Introduction
Sleep disorders are associated with sickness absenteeism (SA), at significant economic
cost. Correlates of absenteeism are less well described in nonclinical samples.
Participants and methods
We determined the relationship between markers of inadequate sleep and SA in a sample
of 551 working adults aged ≥18 years across Australia. We considered diagnosed obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia symptoms, daytime symptoms, and sleepiness with respect
to sickness absenteeism (missing ≥1 day of work in the past 28 days because of problems
with physical or mental health).
Results
Sickness absenteeism was reported by 27.0% of participants and was more frequent in
younger participants, university graduates, and those experiencing financial stress.
Sickness absenteeism was independently associated with insomnia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-4.0], OSA (OR = 9.8, CI = 4.7-20.7), sleep aid use (OR = 3.0, CI = 1.9-4.7), and daytime symptoms (OR = 3.0, CI = 2.0-4.6) and inversely associated with perception of getting adequate sleep (OR = 0.6, CI = 0.4-0.9). Associations persisted in the population free of insomnia and/or OSA.
Conclusions
In adults without clinical sleep disorders, sleep behaviors are contributing to sickness
absenteeism. An increased focus at an organizational level on improvement of sleep
hygiene is important to reduce lost work performance.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 04, 2017
Accepted:
June 20,
2017
Received in revised form:
May 24,
2017
Received:
April 11,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
