Changes in Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, and Sickness Absence: A Longitudinal Study with Repeated Measures

Abstract

Background: Sickness absence has been linked to short and long, as well as poor, sleep in a few studies. Such studies have started from a baseline measurement and followed up on subsequent sickness absence. In the present study, however, we focused on the change in biennial reports of sickness absence and sleep measures (using work-related variables as possible modifiers). We also searched for an interaction between predictors and gender since women report more sleep problems. Methods: A total of 5377 individuals (random sample from the Swedish working population) participated across five biennial points of measurement. Data were analyzed using mixed-model logistic regression. Results: The multivariable analysis of variation across the five time points showed that the significant sleep-related predictors of sickness absence (at least one occurrence during the preceding year) were sleep duration during days off (OR = 1.16, 95% Cl = 1.08;1.24) and sleep problems (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.33;1.51). These also remained significant after the addition of psychosocial work factors. Sensitivity analyses indicated that a 9 h sleep duration during days off may represent a critical level in terms of increased sickness absence and that late rising contributed to the association between sickness absence and long sleep duration during days off. Women reported a higher sickness absence than men (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.74;2.68) and had a higher probability of sickness absence for long sleep during days off and during the workweek than men. Conclusions: It was concluded that increases in sleep problems and sleep duration during days off are longitudinally associated with changes in sickness absence and that women have a closer link between the two. This suggests that treatment for sleep problems may reduce the risk of sickness absence.