The Apnimed-led survey reveals that obstructive sleep apnea significantly affects patients’ work, daily activities, relationships, and mental health, with many feeling exhausted, anxious, and misunderstood.

Summary: Apnimed Inc. conducted the SHINE (Sleep Health Inquiries on Needs and Emotions) survey, gathering insights from 1,500 people living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which survey revealed the emotional, social, and behavioral impacts of OSA on daily life, including fatigue, fear of long-term health consequences, and negative effects on self-esteem, mental health, relationships, and work productivity. The findings highlight the need for greater public awareness and better management of this chronic condition, which affects millions worldwide but often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Key Takeaways:

Daily Impact on Quality of Life: 92% of respondents reported that OSA affects their work, and 86% said it interferes with daily activities, such as exercise and childcare.
Emotional Burden: Younger people with OSA reported higher levels of anxiety (54%) and low self-esteem (42%), and 67% of all respondents reported feeling depressed or hopeless.
Social Stigma and Relationships: OSA negatively impacts family dynamics and social relationships, with 57% of participants indicating that it strains their connections with family and friends.

Apnimed Inc, announced the results of its Sleep Health Inquiries on Needs and Emotions (SHINE) survey of 1,500 people living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), revealing the significant impact that people living with OSA experience daily.

Many respondents reported feeling worn out or exhausted from fatigue, with 74% indicating this issue. Additionally, 67% feared long-term health consequences, while 34% expressed a fear of dying due to their OSA.

The impact of OSA spans age, sex, race, ethnicity, and body type, and the survey revealed the considerable emotional, social, and behavioral burdens and stigma that negatively impact family dynamics, social relationships, self-esteem, and work productivity.

Key findings include:

92% of respondents stated that OSA have impacted their work productivity in the last week.
86% stated OSA affects their ability to do other daily activities (eg, childcare, chores, exercise, etc).
Younger people with OSA (aged 18-34)—who do not match the common stereotype of OSA affecting older individuals—reported struggling with low self-esteem (42%) and anxiety (54%), and 56% said OSA makes them feel misunderstood or isolated.
57% of respondents shared that living with OSA negatively impacts their relationships with family and friends.
Nearly 50% of respondents are unable to share a bed with their partners.
More than two-thirds (67%) reported feeling depressed or hopeless.
66% of respondents said exhaustion from OSA affects their ability to be present with loved ones.
71% agree that OSA can make it difficult to cope with the daily stresses of life.

OSA affects more than 54 million people in the United States and nearly 1 billion worldwide. Failure to effectively treat OSA can impair daily function and increase one’s risk for serious comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Yet, among the millions diagnosed, the majority of people with OSA refuse, abandon, or underutilize existing treatment.

“The SHINE survey has powerfully captured the voices and challenges faced by individuals living with OSA, a chronic illness that has failed to receive the public attention it deserves,” says Monica P. Mallampalli, PhD, executive director of Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners, in a release. “The real-life experiences of living with OSA spotlighted in the results emphasize the need for greater awareness, both for the public and for healthcare providers, to improve recognition and management of this often-overlooked condition.”

Partnership With Patient Advocacy Organizations

The SHINE survey included consultation with sleep experts and patient advocacy organizations to ensure that the survey and its analysis accurately represented the experiences and viewpoints of the diverse OSA community. Three sleep health advocacy organizations collaborated with Apnimed to review the survey results and have joined forces to distribute these findings to their communities. The group are Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners, American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), and Project Sleep.

Apnimed, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel oral therapies for the treatment of OSA and other sleep-related breathing diseases, developed the SHINE survey to provide insights to enable the sleep health community to better comprehend the psychosocial impacts of living with OSA and support people living with the disease.

“We are incredibly proud to sponsor this groundbreaking survey, which shines a light on the significant challenges faced by those living with OSA,” says Larry Miller MD, CEO of Apnimed, in a release. “This effort would not have been possible without the invaluable collaboration of advocacy organizations dedicated to sleep health. We drew on insights from many of their previous efforts such as the ASAA-led AWAKE initiative. Their commitment to raising awareness and advocating for better diagnosis and treatment of OSA is truly inspiring. Together, we are taking an important step toward making OSA a public health priority and ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard and supported.”