The association between long working hours and obstructive sleep apnea assessed by STOP-BANG score: a cross-sectional study

Association and interaction effect of shift work and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea on diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Korean workers

PURPOSE

To investigate the association of shift work and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the interaction effect of shift work and the risk for OSA on DM.

METHODS

Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2019-2021 were used. The participants were 3012 employees aged 40 to 59 years. Shift work was assessed using self-reporting questionnaires. The risk for OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG score. The distribution of demographic factors was calculated using the chi-square test. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. An interaction effect between shift work and the risk for OSA on DM was evaluated using relative excess risk owing to interaction (RERI) and attributable proportion (AP) with 95% CIs. The synergic index (SI) was also calculated.

RESULTS

Shift work and the risk for OSA were each significantly associated with DM. There was also a significant interaction effect between shift work and the risk for OSA on DM. The RERI was 0.543 (95% CI 0.205-1.361) and the AP was 0.230 (95% CI 0.145-0.342). The SI was 1.662 (95% CI 1.481-1.843).

CONCLUSIONS

There was an association and a significant interaction effect of shift work and the risk for OSA on DM. The management of OSA in shift workers should be implemented to prevent DM.

Relationships between Lip Seal Strength, Tongue Pressure, and Daytime Sleepiness in Japanese Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between lip seal strength, tongue pressure, and daytime sleepiness in Japanese workers. A self-administered questionnaire which comprised the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was completed by 496 workers, and excessive daytime sleepiness was defined by an ESS score of 11 or over. Lip seal strength and tongue pressure were measured in all participants, and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of lip seal strength and tongue pressure on daytime sleepiness. The median ESS score was 5.0 (25th and 75th percentiles: 2.0 and 8.0), and 42 (8.5%) workers had excessive daytime sleepiness. The median lip seal strength was 13.5 N (11.4, 16.3), and the tongue pressure was 41.7 kPa (35.2, 48.3). Workers with higher ESS scores had significantly lower levels of lip seal strength than those without, following adjustments for age and body mass index (BMI) values (β (95% confidence interval): -0.043 [-0.081, -0.004]). However, tongue pressure was not significantly associated with ESS score after adjustments for age and/or BMI. These results suggest that maintaining moderate lip seal strength may help prevent excessive daytime sleepiness in Japanese workers regardless of age or BMI.

Lip Seal Strength and Tongue Pressure among Japanese Male Workers: Comparison of Different Age Groups

Lip seal strength and tongue pressure are related to sarcopenia in older adults and are directly linked to the quality of life of workers after retirement. This study examined lip seal strength and tongue pressure among Japanese male workers by age. A self-administered questionnaire survey including alcohol consumption and smoking was conducted on 454 male workers. Height, weight, lip seal strength, and tongue pressure were also measured and then stratified by age (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and over). The mean (25th, 75th percentiles) lip seal strength and tongue pressure for all workers were 13.7 N (11.6, 16.4) and 41.7 kPa (35.2, 48.2), respectively. Both lip seal strength and tongue pressure were lowest in the 20s, at 12.1 N (9.6, 14.0) and 40.6 kPa (33.4, 47.6), respectively. The multiple regression analysis adjusted for smoking showed a significant positive association between lip seal strength and BMI for the 20s, 50s, and 60s and over, and a significant positive association between tongue pressure and BMI for the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and over. To maintain oral health in older adults, it may be useful to measure workers' lip seal strength and tongue pressure and intervene at an earlier stage.