[Sleepiness, sleep disorders and risk of occupational accidents]

2005

PloS one, 2016

Recent research has found evidence of an association between motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or near miss accidents (NMAs), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or its main medical cause, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, EDS can also be due to non-medical factors, such as sleep debt (SD), which is common among professional truck drivers. On the opposite side, rest breaks and naps are known to protect against accidents. To investigate the association of OSA, SD, EDS, rest breaks and naps, with the occurrence of MVAs and NMAs in a large sample of truck drivers. 949 male truck drivers took part in a cross-sectional medical examination and were asked to complete a questionnaire about sleep and waking habits, risk factors for OSA and EDS. MVAs and NMAs were reported by 34.8% and 9.2% of participants, respectively. MVAs were significantly predicted by OSA (OR = 2.32 CI95% = 1.68-3.20), SD (OR = 1.45 CI95% = 1.29-1.63), EDS (OR = 1.73 CI95% = 1.15-2.61) and prevented by naps (OR = ...

2018

Background and Objective: Sleep problems in industries can influence workers’ health. Shift work and its associated sleep problems are quite common among workers in different industries. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in workers of an automobile factory. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during annual periodic examination of workers from a production unit of an automobile factory. A total of 522 workers filled in questionnaires including demographic characteristics, workplace accidents, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and STOP-BANG [snoring, tiredness, observed stop of breathing in sleep, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), age, neck circumference, gender]. T-test and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The participants had mean and standard deviation (SD) ag...

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 2005

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of sleep, shift work, alcohol and psychostimulant drug use, and the prevalence of accidents among truck drivers. METHOD: Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Statistical analysis was conducted using the Student t, chi-square, Pearson and Fisher tests. RESULTS: 43.2% of the drivers drove over 16 h a day, and 2.9% worked shifts. Mean number of sleep hours/day was 5.97±1.47; 23.8% slept <5 hours; 50.9% made use of alcohol, 95.6% of caffeine, and 11.1% of amphetamines. Mean PSQI was 4.95±2.56; 35.4% had a PSQI >5; 23 subjects snored more than three times a week (11.1%). Mean ESS was 6.56±4.2; 21.7% had a score >10. In the preceding five years, 27 drivers (13.1%) were involved in accidents, 5 of which resulted in injuries and 3 in deaths. CONCLUSION: Results showed a high prevalence of sleep disorders, use of alcohol and psychostimulant drugs, an...

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2004

Sleep disordered breathing and excessive sleepiness may be more common in commercial vehicle drivers than the general population. The relative importance of factors causing excessive sleepiness and accidents in this population remains unclear. We measured the prevalence of excessive sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing and assessed accident risk factors in 2342 respondents to a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 3268 Australian commercial vehicle drivers and another 161 drivers among 244 invited to undergo polysomnography. 59.6% of drivers had sleep disordered breathing and 15.8% had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. 24% of drivers had excessive sleepiness. Increasing sleepiness was related to an increased accident risk. The sleepiest

Chronobiology International, 2011

Sleepiness and sleep complaints are common among professional drivers. Sleepiness is a considerable problem not only because it affects the drivers' well-being, but also because of the consequences for performance and safety. Assessment of the (self-reported) prevalence and research into the risk factors are thus an important health issue and are also indispensable to prevent productivity loss and work-related accidents and injuries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe sleeping, driving, and health characteristics of Belgian truck drivers and to determine occupational and individual factors associated with poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Cross-sectional data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Berlin Questionnaire (BQ). The mean (SD) age of the 476 studied truck drivers was 42.7 (10.2) yrs and the mean (SD) body mass index was 27.3 (5.1) kg/m 2 . Approximately 47% declared that they drove >50 h/wk and found their work schedule unrealistic. The mean (SD) PSQI score was 4.45 (2.7); poor quality of sleep (PSQI >5) was found in 27.2%. The mean (SD) ESS score was 6.79 (4.17); 18% had a score >10. The BQ indicated that 21.5% had a higher risk on obstructive sleep apnea. In multiple logistic regression analysis, low educational level (odds ratio [OR] 1.86), current smoking (OR 1.75), unrealistic work schedule (OR 1.75), and risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OR 2.97) were found to be independent correlates of daytime sleepiness. Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with poor self-perceived health (OR 1.95), unrealistic work schedule (OR 2.85), low job satisfaction (OR 1.91), and less driving experience (OR 1.73). These results show that poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were prevalent in Belgian truck drivers. Taking into account that several significant correlates with respect to these sleep problems were identified both at the individual and the occupational level, comprehensive countermeasures to improve working conditions and organization are needed, as well as health promotion interventions, to ensure the safety and well-being of truck drivers. Author correspondence: lutgart. braeckman@ugent.be) © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. Chronobiol Int Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by 78.22.208.169 on 05/06/11 For personal use only.  L. Braeckman et al. Chronobiology International Chronobiol Int Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by 78.22.208.169 on 05/06/11

2017

One of the important reasons for accidents is sleepiness.With this description, the sleep disorders are associated with health and mortality, and not only affect the person but also the family and the whole society. Aim of this study was assessing of relationship between Sleep Quality, Obstructive sleep Apnea and Sleepiness during day with related factors in professional drivers. This was a cross-sectional study measuring correlation between sleep quality questionnaire (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index or PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Stop Bang questionnaire (STOP BANG).the appropriate sample size to achieve a 95% confidence level was 943 people. The study population was chosen among qualified drivers using a convenience sampling method that took place over 12 months duration. Exclusion criterion consisted of the presence of a physical or mental disability. Data analyzed by software SPSS, version 15. In this study, all drivers were men with mean of age 36±9/5 year (minimum...

Universal Journal of Public Health, 2023

Introduction: Road traffic crashes (RTC) and road traffic injuries (RTI) are major health problems facing taxi drivers. Shorter sleep duration (≤7 hours/day) and sleepiness during driving are two risk factors for RTC and RTI. Aims: Identify the associations between shorter sleep duration and sleepiness during driving a taxi and RTC in taxi drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling method were used to recruit a total of 130 taxi drivers in San Francisco (California, United States). Data was collected from taxi drivers via interview, using a structured questionnaire. Results: Based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) total score, 14% of the subjects had abnormal sleepiness (ESS >10). On average, the subjects slept 7 hours daily, with 64% reporting sleeping ≤7 hours/day. About 22% of participants (n=29) reported at least one crash in the prior 12 months while driving their cab, totaling 45 crashes. Factors associated with abnormal sleep (≤7 hours/day) included not taking pain medication ≥1 time/week, not attending a health and safety training session for taxi driving, and not eating five cups of fruits and vegetables each day. Shorter sleep duration, overall fatigue and higher ESS scores were not significantly associated with RTC. Conclusion: Drivers reported abnormal sleep duration. Twenty-two percent of taxi drivers reported at least one crash in the prior 12-months; 11.5% RTI were reported in the prior 12-months. There were no significant bivariate associations between RTC and ESS, and abnormal sleep. There are opportunities to further explore interventions to enhance sleep hygiene in professional drivers. Clinical Relevance: Recognition of sleepiness in professional drivers is an important public health measure. The most important countermeasure to mitigate drowsy driving is to begin a work shift after sleeping more than 7 hours. Frequent rest breaks, drinking coffee, chewing gum, and opening a car window to refresh air are additional evidence-based countermeasures.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the sleep quality and sleep disorders (prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and sleepiness) among occupational drivers in Iran and to determine which demographic factors and occupational habits are linked to road traffic accidents. Material and Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study 556 occupational road drivers from Shahroud city (in the northeast of Iran) participated, upon a prior verbal informed consent, during 2013–2014. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) standard questionnaire that scored on 7 point scale, the 8-item Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire and the 8-question STOP-Bang questionnaire along with demographic information and occupational data were used. To explore the independent factors associated with odds of poor sleep quality and road accident, multiple logistic regression models were used. Results: Prevalence of previous road accidents, sleepiness while driving, and obstructive sleep apnea scored ≥ 3 in the study, and drivers accounted for 23.8%, 29%, and 24.8%, respectively. The global mean score of sleep quality and excessive sleepiness score were 5.2 and 4.8, respectively. The main factors related to the odds of poor sleep quality were snoring (odds ratio (OR) = 2.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–4.77), smoking (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.15–3.97), and driving times in a day (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03–1.21). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07–1.23) and suffering from apnea (OR = 4.89; 95% CI: 1.07–23.83) were the best predictors for odds (increased risk) of road accidents. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of Iranian drivers had records of road accidents; poor sleep quality, sleepiness while driving, and sleep disorder breathing (obstructive sleep apnea – OSA). Snoring, smoking, driving time in a day, excessive sleepiness, and presumably apnea increase the odds of poor sleep quality and road traffic accident for Iranian occupational drivers.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2014

Objective-To explore sleep risk factors and their association with adverse events in transportation operators. Methods-Self-reported sleep-related behaviors were analyzed in transportation operators (drivers, pilots, and rail operators) aged 26 to 78 years who completed the National Sleep Foundation's 2012 "Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Sleep" survey. Regression analyses were used to assess the associations of various sleep-related variables with the combined outcome of self-reported accidents and near misses. Results-Ageand body mass-adjusted predictors of accidents/near misses included an accident while commuting (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6; confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 9.8), driving drowsy (OR = 4.1; CI, 2.5 to 6.7), and Sheehan Disability Scale score greater than 15 (OR = 3.5; CI, 2.2 to 5.5). Sleeping more than 7 hours nightly was protective for accident/near misses (OR = 0.6; CI, 0.4 to 0.9). Conclusion-Recognized risk factors for poor sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness were significantly associated with self-reported near misses and/or accidents in transportation operators. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is considered to be a major causal factor in transportation-related accidents. Roughly 16% to 20% of all traffic accidents and 29% to 50% of deaths and serious injuries related to motor vehicles are thought to be associated with driver sleepiness. 1,2 Sleep deprivation is known to impair vigilance and reaction time similar to having an elevated blood alcohol concentration. 2-4 Excessive daytime sleepiness