Obstructive Sleep Apnea Tied to Poor Outcomes in U.S. Soldiers

Negative outcomes include mental health challenges, traumatic injuries, and increased health care utilization

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) contribute to mental health challenges, traumatic injuries, and increased health care utilization in active-duty service members, according to a study recently published online in CHEST.

Emerson M. Wickwire, Ph.D., from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, and colleagues assessed the burden of OSA among active-duty military personnel. The analysis included data from 59,203 military personnel (younger than 65 years) from the Military Data Repository (2016 to 2021) following a new OSA diagnosis.

The researchers found that OSA was associated with an increased risk for all physical and psychological health outcomes compared with no OSA, including a threefold higher risk for traumatic brain injury. Service members with OSA had a fourfold increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. OSA was also associated with an additional 170,511 outpatient, 66 inpatient, and 1,852 emergency department encounters per year.

“Sleep apnea is not just a medical condition — it’s a force readiness issue,” Col. Vincent F. Capaldi II, M.D., from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement. “We must prioritize sleep health as a cornerstone of operational performance and long-term well-being for the force.”

One author disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.