Introduction
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among commercial drivers and associated with health/safety risks, leading several trucking firms to mandate OSA screening.
Methods
19,371 commercial drivers were screened for OSA with an on-line questionnaire (Somni-Sage®) through employer mandates. Questionnaire and polysomnography results were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
Screening categorized 5,908 (30%) drivers as higher risk. To date, employers have sent 2,103 higher risk drivers for polysomnography, demonstrating that 68% of high risk drivers tested had an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >10 and 80% had an AHI ≥5. A conservative prevalence estimate for OSA (AHI >10) was 21% among the drivers studied.
Conclusion
Online screening followed by polysomnography for high-risk drivers demonstrates as many as 21% of commercial drivers may have OSA. Mandatory screening can have a high yield among commercial drivers.
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