Study: Weekend lifestyle may worsen OSA
By HME News Staff
Updated 12:30 PM CDT, Wed August 20, 2025
ADELAIDE, Australia – Late nights and alcohol consumption over the weekend can lead to an increase in severity of obstructive sleep apnea, a phenomenon researchers are calling “social apnea,” according to a new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care.
Researchers, led by Flinders University in Australia, analyzed data from more than 70,000 people who used a validated under-mattress sleep sensor and reported on their daily habits.
The results showed:
- OSA severity jumped by 18% on Saturdays compared to mid-week. Men, younger adults and people who drank alcohol were especially affected.
- Sleeping in for more than 45 minutes increased the risk by nearly 50%.
- Men were 21% more likely to be affected, compared to a 9% increase in women.
- People under the age of 60 had a 24% higher risk on weekends, compared to 7% in those age 60 and above.
“Sleep apnea is already a major public health issue, but our findings suggest its true impact may be underestimated,” stated Dr. Lucia Pinilla. “Most clinical diagnostic testing is done on a single night, typically a weeknight, missing the weekend effect we’re now calling social apnea.”
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