Open AccessAssessment of Screening Tests for Sleep Apnea Syndrome in the Workplace
Author(s) -
Tanaka Shigemi,
Shima Masayuki
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.l8175
Subject(s) - medicine , epworth sleepiness scale , body mass index , pulse oximetry , sleep apnea , apnea , obesity , obstructive sleep apnea , physical therapy , excessive daytime sleepiness , breathing , polysomnography , anesthesia , sleep disorder , insomnia , psychiatry
Assessment of Screening Tests for Sleep Apnea Syndrome in the Workplace: Shigemi T anaka , et al . Tanaka Internal Medicine ClinicObjectives The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is often used for screening of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the workplace. We conducted pulse oximetry for workers of a large transportation company, who were selected based on their response to a questionnaire that included ESS and breathing pattern during sleep. Methods Pulse oximetry was performed for 803 of 3,761 male workers. A 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) ≥15 was defined to represent sleep disordered breathing (SDB). We evaluated the frequencies of severe snoring and sleep apnea in the past three months reported by the bed partner or a family member. The relationships between 3% ODI ≥15 and various parameters were analyzed. Results Of the 715 workers with valid recordings, 3% ODI was ≥15 in 108. The prevalence of 3% ODI ≥15 was high among workers with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/ m 2 , or for whom severe snoring (≥4 days/wk) or sleep apnea (≥2 days/mo) was reported, but did not correlate with ESS scores. Multivariate analysis showed that 3% ODI ≥15 correlated significantly with BMI, and reported severe snoring and sleep apnea, but not ESS scores. The prevalence of 3% ODI ≥15 was high among obese workers. ESS scores did not correlate with 3% ODI ≥15, irrespective of obesity. Conclusions Our findings suggest that severe snoring, sleep apnea and BMI, but not ESS, are useful screening tools for SAS.