CPAP can increase work productivity in people with sleep apnea, according to new research presented at last week’s Sleep and Breathing Conference, organized by the European Respiratory Society and the European Sleep Research Society.
Investigators asked 45 patients with sleep apnea to complete the Endicott Work Productivity Scale, a questionnaire designed to assess productivity at work, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a globally accepted questionnaire which assesses daytime sleepiness. Surveys were taken at study outset and after 3 months of CPAP treatment.
Of those 35 participants with good adherence to CPAP treatment, all showed significant improvement in their productivity at work and in their daytime sleepiness. The other 10 individuals did not follow the treatment program and showed no significant improvement in symptoms or work productivity.
“Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea,” said lead author, Evangelia Nena MD, PhD. “Previous research has shown the potential benefits of CPAP to patients’ health and quality of life and our findings add to this body of evidence, demonstrating the advantages the treatment can have on productivity at work.”
