Examining the relationship between long working hours and the use of prescription sedatives among U.S. workers

Emmanuel Ezekekwu; Christopher Johnson; Seyed Karimi; Demetra Antimisiaris; Doug Lorenz

doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2023.06.026

Examining the relationship between long working hours and the use of prescription sedatives among U.S. workers

Sleep Med. 2023 Sep:109:226-239. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.06.026. Epub 2023 Jul 7.

Authors

Emmanuel Ezekekwu¹, Christopher Johnson², Seyed Karimi³, Demetra Antimisiaris⁴, Doug Lorenz⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address: euezek01@louisville.edu.
² Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address: christopher-e.johnson@louisville.edu.
³ Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address: seyed.karimi@louisville.edu.
⁴ Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville 485 E. Gray Street Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address: demetra.antimisiaris@louisville.edu.
⁵ Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, 485 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address: douglas.lorenz@louisville.edu.

PMID: 37478659
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.06.026

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of long working hours has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in sleep disorders. Sedative-hypnotic agents (SHAs), have been reported as the second most commonly misused drug class in the U.S. The key objective of this study was to examine the relationship between working hours on the use of sleep aids and medications with sedative properties.

Methods: The 2010-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data was utilized. SHAs and medications with sedative related properties (MSRPs) were identified. Furthermore, we employed different regression models ranging from multivariable linear regression, Tobit regression, Heckman regression, and multivariable logistic regression, to ensure consistency, robustness, and reliability of associations.

Results: Overall, a sample of 81,518 observations of full-time workers was analyzed. Working 56hours or more per week was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with an increased odds of using SHAs and MSRPs by 13% (Adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR =1.13, 95% Confidence Interval, CI=1.01:1.26) and 9% (aOR=1.09, 95% CI=1.03:1.16), respectively more than that among those who worked fewer hours. Females in our study had a higher likelihood (aOR=1.11, 95% CI=1.05:1.19) of using SHAs when compared to males. Also, professional services had the highest likelihood (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.14:1.50) of using SHAs.

Conclusion: We found that long working hours were significantly associated with an elevated use of SHAs and MSRPs among U.S. workers. Specifically, female workers and individuals working in professional services had the highest likelihood of using sleep medications.

Keywords: Extra medical use; Long working hours; Sedatives; Sleep aid; Sleep disorders.

MeSH terms

Employment*
Female
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives* / therapeutic use
Male
Prescriptions
Reproducibility of Results
Sleep

Substances

Hypnotics and Sedatives