Overview

• Analysis of more than 70,000 sensor-recorded sleep nights published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows an 18% higher risk of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea on weekends compared with midweek
• Saturday sleep extensions of at least 45 minutes corresponded to a 47% increase in apnea events, with later bedtimes and weekend alcohol consumption identified as contributing factors
• Men experienced a 21% weekend increase in breathing interruptions versus 9% for women, and adults under 60 saw a 24% rise compared with 7% among those 60 and older
• Authors caution that voluntary sensor purchasers, male overrepresentation and missing lifestyle data limit generalizability and call for follow-up studies to isolate behavioral drivers
• Experts recommend maintaining regular daily sleep schedules, adhering to prescribed OSA therapies and adopting multi-night testing protocols to avoid overlooking weekend-related apnea risks