(© WavebreakMediaMicro - stock.adobe.com)
DARIEN, Ill. – Suffering from sleep apnea not only endangers the sleeper's life, but it may also put them on the fast track to divorce. An eye-opening new study reveals that when people with obstructive sleep apnea use their positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy machines regularly, it doesn't just improve their sleep quality — it also strengthens their romantic relationships. Simply put, treating a chronic snoring problem may save a life and a marriage.
The findings, in a nutshell
The research, presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting, found that greater adherence to PAP therapy has a link to higher relationship satisfaction and fewer conflicts between patients and their partners.
However, the benefits didn't stop there. The study also showed that when sleep apnea patients had higher sleep efficiency (a measure of sleep quality), both they and their partners reported feeling more satisfied with their relationships. These findings highlight the interconnected nature of couples' sleep experiences and how addressing one partner's sleep issues can positively impact both individuals.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that generally involves repeated interruptions in someone's breathing during sleep. These interruptions, known as apneas, can last from a few seconds to more than a minute and may occur several times in a single hour.
Sleep apnea is typically categorized into three types, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form. It results from a physical blockage of airflow despite respiratory effort. OSA usually occurs due to the relaxation of the muscles in the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway.
Sleep apnea poses several health risks if left untreated. It can lead to heart problems and high blood pressure as the body struggles with repeated awakenings at night, putting increased strain on the cardiovascular system. This condition can also lead to severe daytime fatigue and sleepiness, reduced liver function, metabolic syndrome, and significant decreases in quality of life.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep apnea can even cause fatal complications. Some irregular heartbeats that can happen during disrupted sleep can be especially severe and can stop the heart. That stoppage is a life-threatening condition known as sudden cardiac death.
How did scientists figure this out?
To reach these compelling conclusions, published in the journal SLEEP, Dr. Wendy Troxel and a team from the University of Utah studied 36 couples, with one partner recently prescribed PAP for obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Over three months, participants' objective PAP usage data was recorded alongside sleep measures captured by wrist-worn actigraphy devices estimating sleep duration and efficiency.
Relationship quality was assessed through self-reported satisfaction and conflict surveys completed by both partners. This allowed the researchers to analyze how an individual's PAP adherence and sleep patterns interacted with their own and their partner's perceived relationship status.
The findings uncovered bidirectional effects, meaning one person's sleep impacted the other's relationship experience and vice versa. When patients used their PAP machines more consistently, not only did they feel more satisfied in their romantic bonds, but so did their partners — highlighting sleep's role as a “shared experience” between couples.
Troxel and her colleagues designed this study as part of a larger “We-PAP” treatment program, recognizing that couples face sleep apnea challenges together. By framing sleep as an issue involving both partners, the team aims to boost motivation for sticking to PAP regimens long-term.
What do the researchers say?
“Recognizing that sleep and sleep disorders have an impact on the quality of a relationship could be a powerful motivator for those affected with sleep apnea to adhere to treatment,” says Troxel, who is a senior behavioral scientist with RAND and a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at the University of Utah, in a media release. “We developed a couples-based treatment called ‘We-PAP’ in recognition of the fact that couples’ sleep is a shared experience and to help patients and partners overcome challenges to adhering PAP together.”
“No one is at their best when they aren’t sleeping,” Troxel concludes. “In an age where we see couples going through ‘sleep divorces,’ and roughly 50% of marriages end in actual divorce, recognizing how healthy sleep can contribute to healthy relationships is imperative.”
