Open AccessInvestigation of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome prevalence among long-distance drivers from Zonguldak, Turkey
Author(s) -
Muhammed Emin Akkoyunlu,
Remzi Altın,
Levent Kart,
Figen Atalay,
Tacettin Örnek,
Mehmet Bayram,
Meltem Tor
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
multidisciplinary respiratory medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.72
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2049-6958
pISSN - 1828-695X
DOI - 10.4081/mrm.2013.479
Subject(s) - medicine , polysomnography , excessive daytime sleepiness , body mass index , pediatrics , physical therapy , demography , apnea , sleep disorder , psychiatry , cognition , sociology
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in long-distance drivers located in the Zonguldak area and to show the correlation between OSAS and traffic accidents. Methods: In this study, 241 long-distance drivers who were residents of Zonguldak province were interviewed face-to-face and a questionnaire regarding OSAS symptoms, occupational histories, and numbers of accidents was administered. Body mass measurements were also taken from participants. Patients who exhibited evidence of OSAS underwent polysomnography (PSG). Results: Snoring was detected in 56% out of all participants, daytime sleepiness was observed in 26.6% and apnoea in 11.6%. All-night PSG was applied to 42 participants who had a high probability of clinical OSAS. Among these, eight had an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) < 5. The prevalence of OSAS was 14.1%. There was a significant relationship between the ratio of traffic accidents per professional years and AHI (r = 0.571; p < 0.005). Conclusions: OSAS prevalence was higher among long-distance drivers in the Zonguldak region. Disease severity was directly proportional to traffic-accident risk, and thus represents a serious social problem.