A cross-sectional epidemiological study of the relationship between sleep duration, quality, and rhythm and presenteeism in workers

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship of sleep (sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep rhythm) with presenteeism in workers while controlling for other confounding factors. A total of 2375 workers of six Japanese companies received self-administered questionnaires from June to November 2018. Information on sleep duration was used to evaluate sleep quantity, the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and workers’ engagement in shift work was used to determine their sleep rhythms. We used the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire to evaluate presenteeism. Information on lifestyle (exercise, smoking, etc.), sex, and age was also collected. We conducted a logistic regression analysis with high absolute/relative presenteeism as an objective variable, sleep duration, AIS, and shift work as dependent variables, and basic attributes and lifestyle factors as adjustment factors. Completed questionnaires were collected from 1992 workers (aged 18–79 years; 25.2% women; response rate: 83.9%). Logistic regression analysis showed that high absolute presenteeism was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (high AIS score; P < 0.001) but not with sleep duration (P = 0.326) and shift work (P = 0.177). High relative absenteeism was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (high AIS score; P = 0.001) but not with sleep duration (P = 0.461) or shift work (P = 0.245). We showed that poor sleep quality is significantly associated with a high level of presenteeism. This suggests focusing on improving sleep quality is important for reducing presenteeism among workers.

Association between insomnia severity and presenteeism among Japanese daytime workers

“…The strength of this study is that it not only included comparisons with individuals with no insomnia, but it also demonstrated that presenteeism problems are more noticeable in those with moderate and severe insomnia severity than in those with mild insomnia severity. Several studies have shown that individuals with insomnia disorders and insomnia complaints have higher rates of presenteeism than those without insomnia complaints (Itani et al, 2021; Kayaba et al, 2021; Kessler et al, 2011; Swanson et al, 2011), consistent with this study findings. The diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorders in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition, include not only nocturnal sleep problems but also the disruption of daytime activities due to sleep problems (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2014; Japanese translation of the Japanese Society of Sleep Research, 2018).…”

“…Second, in this study, females were significantly less likely than males to be enrolled. Gender bias in sampling has been observed in previous studies of Japanese workers (Itani et al, 2021;Kayaba et al, 2021), and may be a problem with studies of Japanese workers rather than a problem unique to this study. Third, this was a cross-sectional study of daytime workers.…”

“…Those at risk for insomnia disorders, restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea have higher rates of presenteeism than those who are not at risk, and this is especially the case for those at risk for insomnia disorders (Swanson et al, 2011). Those with insomnia complaints have higher rates of presenteeism than those without insomnia complaints (Itani et al, 2021). Kayaba et al (2021) found that regardless of white-collar or blue-collar occupations, workers with nocturnal sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep or early morning awakening had higher rates of presenteeism than those without nocturnal sleep problems.…”

Impact of sleep debt, social jetlag, and insomnia symptoms on presenteeism and psychological distress of workers in Japan: a cross-sectional study

“…Insomnia symptoms are considered an aggravating factor for presenteeism [ 14 ]. In a study of Japanese workers, those with insomnia symptoms also had higher rates of presenteeism than those without insomnia symptoms [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Limited social support is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia in a Japanese working population

“…Depression is a major global public health problem and is projected to greatly contribute to disease burden worldwide in the coming decades ( 6 , 7 ). Insomnia commonly occurs as a principal component of depression ( 8 ) and causes presenteeism (low work productivity due to being present at work, but ill or experiencing medical conditions) ( 9 ). Depression and anxiety are the two most prevalent mental disorders in the Japanese population ( 10 , 11 ).…”