Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Current State of Knowledge, Impact on Work Productivity and Treatment Methods

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by repetitive episodes of narrowing or complete closure of the upper respiratory tract during sleep, leading to sleep disruption and lowering of blood oxygen levels. OSA is the most common sleep breathing disorder that impacts many facets of health-related quality of life and increases risk of comorbidities. At a societal level, OSA leads to a reduced productivity levels caused by impaired cognitive functions and absenteeism and an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Purpose of research: This review provides a comprehensive overview on current state of knowledge regarding OSA, its impact on work economics and available treatment. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review based on publicly available Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed databases from 2010 to 2024 using the following phases: “obstructive sleep apnea”, “daytime sleepiness”, “absenteeism in obstructive sleep apnea”, “economic costs of obstructive sleep apnea”, “treatment of obstructive sleep apnea”. Results and conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea is becoming an increasingly common disorder contributing to a number of comorbidities, as well as negatively affecting work productivity and economics. The link between OSA and motor vehicle accidents highlights the importance of screening tests for OSA, especially among the population of professional drivers. Existing treatment methods, especially CPAP treatment, help alleviate OSA symptoms as well as its negative impact on work productivity, which makes it crucial for improving quality of life of patients suffering from OSA.