Recent research conducted by Flinders University in Australia has uncovered a concerning trend: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity spikes significantly on weekends compared to weekdays. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, analyzed sleep data from over 70,000 users of an under-mattress sleep monitor. The data revealed that symptoms of OSA were markedly more pronounced during weekends, with a 18% increase in severity on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays. This phenomenon, termed ‘social apnea’ by the researchers, highlights how weekend routines can exacerbate sleep disorders.
The researchers found that weekend catch-up sleep and ‘social jetlag’ — a misalignment between natural circadian rhythms and social schedules — contributed to a 47% and 38% increase, respectively, in the odds of OSA. The study emphasized that these irregular sleep patterns are associated with greater OSA severity, as the condition is often more pronounced during REM sleep. The findings underline the importance of maintaining consistent sleep schedules to mitigate the impact of these factors.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, a sleep expert and RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist, echoed these findings, noting that weekend behaviors such as increased alcohol consumption, skipping CPAP treatment, and sleep ‘catch-up’ can disrupt sleep patterns and worsen OSA. Troxel recommended that individuals with OSA adhere to consistent sleep-wake schedules, limit alcohol intake, and use CPAP treatment every night to manage the condition effectively. The study’s authors urged further research to understand the underlying mechanisms of this ‘social apnea’ phenomenon and its broader implications for sleep health.