Demographic and clinical characteristics in disability assessment of sleep disorder patients

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics in the disability assessment of patients with sleep disorders. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 122 patients referred for disability evaluations related to sleep disorders. Demographic data, clinical parameters, and disability outcomes were analyzed. Key parameters such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), and the presence of other sleep disorders were assessed across patient subgroups. Results: Patients applying for military service eligibility assessments had a mean age of 25.3 ± 8.7 years and a median ESS score of 7. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was present in 37.5% of cases. Fifty percent of these patients were deemed unfit for military service. Patients applying for health reports for driver’s licenses had a mean age of 47.6 ± 5.6 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.3 ± 8.6 kg/m2. Severe OSAS was diagnosed in most cases, and eligibility for driver’s licenses was confirmed for all patients. Patients applying for disability reports had a mean age of 47.7 ± 9.2 years, a mean BMI of 34.4 ± 6.8 kg/m2, and a median AHI of 40. Severe OSAS was diagnosed in 79.5% of those granted disability retirement. Excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly less common in this group compared to other disability subgroups. Conclusions: Severe OSAS plays a prominent role in functional impairment and disability assessments, particularly in high-risk occupational settings. Other sleep disorders and sleep duration variations also influence disability outcomes, underlining the need for comprehensive sleep evaluations in disability determinations.