Sleep and
sleep-disordered breathing in commercial
long-haul truck drivers
RA. Stoohs, L'Ann Bingam, A Itoi, C
Guilleminault, WC Dement
We have performed a study assessing the
prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing ln a
large US trucking company using a validated
portable monitor (MESAM-4) and a validated
symptom questionnaire. Three hundred
eighty-eight drivers with a mean age of 36 years
filled out the questionnaire. One hundred fifty
drivers with a mean age of 35 years spent the
night at the terminal hub where they underwent
monitoring for identification of
sleep-disordered breathing. The drivers also had
blood pressure recorded while awake, seated and
after 15 min of quiet rest. Seventy-eight
percent of the drivers had an oxygen
desaturation index (ODI) >5 per heur of
sleep; 10% had an ODI >30 per hour of sleep.
There was a significant difference in the body
mass index (BMI) between drivers with ODI < 5
drivers with ODI >5 (25.7 ±6.0 kg/m2 in
driver,with ODI <5 vs 29.0±6.3 kg/m2 in
drivers with ODI > 5, p<0.00P. Sixteen
percent of all drivers tested were hypertensive.
Twelve percent were unaware of their
hypertension. Hypertensive drivers were
significantly more over
weight, slept more restlessly took mure
naps, and woke up mure frequently during the
night. About 20%, of drivers presented symptoms
indicating very regular sleep,
disturbances.
Drivers who lhad been with the company for
more than 1 year were more likely to present
daytime fatigue, daytime fatigue,daytime
tiedness, un restorative sleep, hypertension,
and higher BMI. Long-haul truck drivers have
very
irregular sleep/wake schedules iand a high
prevalence of sleep-disorderd breathing.
Chronicsleep/wake disruption and partial
prolonged sleep deprivation may worsen
sleep-disordered breathing. This combination of
problems may impact significantly on the daytime
alertness of truckers.
