Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Occupational Medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Division of Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4
Sleep Laboratory of Ibn-Sina Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder that adversely affects health, safety, and productivity. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the primary treatment of OSA. This study aimed to examine the work limitations experienced by patients with OSA both before and after using PAP.
Materials and Methods: This cohort study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2023 at the Sleep Diseases Clinic of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Our study included 30 working patients diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography who had therapeutic indications for PAP. These patients completed the work limitation questionnaire (WLQ) before starting PAP treatment and again three months after initiating PAP. The results were then compared.
Results: Among the 30 participants, 28 (93.3%) were male, and 2 (6.7%) were female. The mean age was 45.96±10.01 years, and the mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 57.13 ± 32.07 events/h. The mean score of the WLQ before and after using PAP was 31.17±16.32 and 17.06±11.59, respectively. The use of PAP significantly improved work limitations and enhanced time management, physical activity, mental-interpersonal relationships, and work efficiency (P<0.001). However, patients who used PAP for less than 4 hours nightly showed a significantly lower mean change in work limitation scores than those who used it for more than 4 hours nightly (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study, the use of PAP in patients with OSA significantly improved work limitations in all areas.
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