Premium
Sleep disorders: a potential role in New Zealand motor vehicle accidents
Author(s) -
Yee B.,
Campbell A.,
Beasley R.,
Neill A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-5994.2002.00229.x
Subject(s) - medicine , polysomnography , emergency department , sleep (system call) , injury prevention , physical therapy , poison control , insomnia , occupational safety and health , somnolence , sleep restriction , emergency medicine , psychiatry , sleep deprivation , apnea , adverse effect , pathology , computer science , operating system , cognition
Background : The potential role of sleep disorders in New Zealand motor vehicle accidents (MVA) has not been systematically studied. Aims : To trial a recruitment method and document the frequency of sleep disorders in drivers attending an emergency department with injury following MVA. Methods : Injured drivers admitted to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department were prospectively recruited by letter and follow‐up telephone call. Data from a traffic accident, health and sleep questionnaire and polysomnography were collected and analysed using the SPSS statistical package. Results : Of 120 eligible drivers, 40 (33%) completed the study protocol. The mean age of participants was 44 ± 17 years.Non‐participants were younger (mean age 33 ± 14 years, P < 0.01) and more often of Asian or Pacific Island ethnicity ( P < 0.01). Twenty‐seven (67%) felt unrefreshed on waking and 10 (25%) had an elevated Epworth Sleepiness Score (> 10/24). Six (15%) felt drowsy or fell asleep prior to the accident. Sleep disorders were common (40%): obstructive sleep apnoea 14 (35.9%), periodic limb movements of sleep three (7.7%), sleep restriction (< 6 h sleep on a regular basis) five (12.5%), and insomnia one (2.5%). Conclusions : Daytime somnolence and sleep disorders were commonly found in drivers attending the Emergency Department after accidents resulting in injury. Driver fatigue and sleep disorders should be considered as a potential contributing factor in New Zealand MVAs. Recruitment of drivers following a MVA via the Emergency Department is challenging. Strategies to improve recruitment are discussed. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 297−304)