Don't Ignore 'Daytime Sleepiness': 80% of Workers Have Never Tested for SAS, Survey Finds

While public awareness of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) has increased following news reports of accidents in the logistics industry, few people seek actual testing or treatment. The Snoring and Apnea Improvement Association conducted a 'Survey on Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Apnea Syndrome' targeting 200 employed men and women aged 20-60 nationwide.

The survey revealed that despite many people experiencing strong daily sleepiness and 'near-miss' incidents at work, approximately 80% have never been tested for SAS. This report explores the 'hidden SAS risk' lurking among the working generation and the factors hindering medical consultation.

### Survey Background Strong daytime sleepiness may stem from underlying conditions like SAS rather than just lack of sleep. SAS severely degrades sleep quality, posing risks such as concentration loss leading to work errors and fatal accidents like drowsy driving. Although a critical issue for occupational safety and health management, many people self-diagnose symptoms as 'just fatigue' and leave them untreated.

### Survey Summary - 47.5% experience 'strong sleepiness' at least several times a week; 74.5% including 'monthly' occurrences. - Top near-miss incidents: 'Potential errors during PC work' (26.4%) and 'Sleepiness while driving' (12.3%). - Recognition of SAS is high at 92.5%. - However, 79.0% have 'never thought about getting tested.' - The top reason for not testing is 'symptoms are not that strong' (42.6%), showing that subjective judgment is a major barrier.

### Detailed Data **Q1: Frequency of daytime sleepiness during work or travel?** Approximately 74.5% of business professionals feel strong sleepiness on a regular basis.

**Q2: Have you had 'near-miss' experiences due to sleepiness?** - Potential errors during PC work: 26.4% - Strong sleepiness while reading materials: 20.0% - Strong sleepiness while driving: 12.3% Only 7.5% reported no such experiences.

**Q3: Awareness level of SAS?** 92.5% are aware of the name or overview of SAS, indicating high social recognition.

**Q4: Do you feel you might have SAS?** About 60% replied 'No.' 15% noted they 'don't know the criteria for judgment,' suggesting a gap in connecting specific signs like snoring to their own symptoms.