8278090 Work-related risk factors of sleep apnea: evidence from the korean work, sleep, and health study

<h3>Objectives</h3> Work environment plays a meaningful role in sleep apnea development, although empirical evidence remains limited. This study examined the associations between occupational exposures—including long working hours, shift work, occupational stress, emotional labor, physical or chemical hazards, and ergonomic strain—and sleep apnea among Korean workers. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Data were obtained from the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (2022–2024), comprising 8,976 unique respondents. Sleep apnea risk was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire, occupational stress using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, and emotional labor using the Korean Emotional Labor Scale-11. Physical, chemical, and ergonomic exposures were evaluated using items from the Korean Working Conditions Survey. Generalized estimating equation models were applied with adjustment for sociodemographic factors. Subgroup analyses were stratified by obesity status. <h3>Results</h3> Working &gt;52 hours per week was associated with a higher likelihood of high-risk sleep apnea (OR=1.217, 95% CI: 1.036–1.428), whereas shift work was not. Higher occupational stress was associated with increased odds of high-risk sleep apnea (OR=1.927, 95% CI: 1.755–2.116 for high vs. low stress). High-risk emotional laborers had greater odds of high-risk sleep apnea compared to low-risk emotional laborers (OR=1.743, 95% CI: 1.503–2.021). Exposure to physical or chemical risk factors was associated with higher odds of high-risk sleep apnea (OR=1.370, 95% CI: 1.253–1.498), particularly for noise, high temperatures, solvent vapors, and environmental smoking. Ergonomic risk exposure was also associated (OR=1.357, 95% CI: 1.245–1.479), with motorcycle riding, kneeling or squatting, and repetitive wrist movement showing the strongest associations. These associations were more pronounced among non-obese participants. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study highlights that occupational factors significantly contribute to sleep apnea risk, framing it as both a personal and workplace health issue. Improving workplace conditions and incorporating occupational history into sleep apnea assessments should be considered in prevention efforts. <h3>Funding</h3> This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2022R1F1A1066498).