Association between shift work and sleep apnea: systematic review & meta‑analysis
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis pulled together six workplace studies to examine whether shift workers are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Five of the studies were combined for analysis, covering both healthcare and non-healthcare employees. The results showed only a very small, non-significant increase in OSA among shift workers compared with day workers. The evidence base was limited and inconsistent, as different studies used different methods to assess OSA, so the connection remains unclear.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
Sleep apnea can cause serious fatigue and long-term health risks, but this review suggests that night work by itself doesn’t appear to strongly increase the odds of having OSA. That means shift workers should be alert to common signs—like loud snoring, waking up gasping, or persistent daytime sleepiness—but they don’t need to assume their schedule alone puts them at high risk. For now, the bigger takeaway is that routine screening and awareness matter more than worrying about a direct link between shift work and OSA.
Notes
International Archives of Occupational & Environmental Health.