Accidents Related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Commercial Drivers: A Clinic Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Egypt is ranked the 3rd country in the world with the highest mortality rates due to road traffic accidents. Epidemiological studies have confirmed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVC) and early death. OSA is an important health and safety issue in the workplace because of its frequency, co-morbidities and potential to impair worker's performance. Aim of work: To estimate the prevalence of accidents among commercial drivers with suspected OSA and to identify the risk factors of road traffic accidents (RTA) by comparing drivers with accidents versus (vs) no accidents. Materials and methods: Nested case-control study was carried upon (150) commercial drivers suspected to have OSA attended the Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) Unit and accepted to participate in the study during two years starting from November 2016. Data was collected using a questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, occupational, medical and driving histories as well as history of sleep related accidents or near accident and mean daily sleep duration. Clinical examination, laboratory tests were done (invasive and noninvasive blood gases) and sleep questionnaires (ESS, FOSQ-10, Berlin questionnaire and STOP BANG questionnaire) were completed. Results: The prevalence of accidents was (46.0%) among the studied drivers. The prevalence of OSA was statistically significantly higher among those with accidents (81.2%) than those without accidents (60.5%) and the significant independent predictors of accidents among drivers were having 1st class license, shift work, rapid eye movement sleep (REM) % and OSA. Conclusion: The prevalence of OSA was higher among those with accidents than those without accidents and OSA was independent significant predictor of RTA.