OBJECTIVES:

The demands of a round-the-clock service and globalized society have led to an increase in long working hours. This trend has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in sleep disorders. Additionally, sedative-tranquilizers have been reported as the third most commonly misused drug class in the U.S. Given the prevalence of long working hours among the U.S. working population, it is expected that there will be a continued increase in the use of sleep aid medications among this population, along with an associated increase in substance abuse to aid sleep.

METHODS:

We utilized the 2010-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Sleep aids and medications with sedation as a side effect were identified. Furthermore, we employed different regression models ranging from multivariable linear regression, Tobit regression, Heckman regression, multivariable logistic regression, and logit regression to ensure consistency, robustness, and reliability of associations between working hours and the use of medications.

RESULTS:

Overall, a sample of 81,518 observations, aged 18 years and above was analyzed, representing 243,944,187 individuals in the U.S. Working 56hours or more per week was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with an increased odds of using sleep aids and medications with sedative properties 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. Working females in our study had a higher likelihood (aOR=1.11, 95% CI=1.05:1.19) of using sleep aids when compared to males. At the same time, people working in professional services had the highest likelihood (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.14:1.50) of using sleep medications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study revealed that long working hours were significantly associated with an elevated use of sleep aids and medications with sedative properties among U.S. workers. Specifically, female workers and individuals working in professional services had the highest likelihood of using sleep medications.