Employer-Mandated Sleep Apnea Screening and Diagnosis in Commercial Drivers

Abstract

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.

Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: Recommendations of the AASM Sleep and Transportation Safety Awareness Task Force

“…In studies of commercial truck drivers, OSA prevalence estimates have ranged from 28% to 78%. [6][7][8][9] In a study commissioned by the FMCSA and conducted in the Philadelphia area, 4,280 commercial drivers were invited to complete a survey, and 1,392 responded. Among respondents, a subgroup of 407 at-risk drivers underwent in-laboratory attended polysomnography (PSG) for OSA.…”

“…9 This sample had a higher prevalence of obesity than the Australian cohort. In a large study of more than 19,371 drivers at Schneider, 6 an online screening tool identified 5,908 individuals (30%) as having high risk for OSA. In subsequent PSG testing, the diagnosis of OSA was made in 2,103 (80%) of those high-risk drivers.…”

Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Adherence in a Sleep Center

“…[11][12][13]17 Over half of those diagnosed with OSA met requirements to initiate PAP therapy based on OSA severity indices alone (AHI or REI > 20).…”

“…[9][10][11] Protocols employing more broad OSA risk factor assessment have been shown to increase detection of undiagnosed and previously diagnosed OSA in occupational settings compared to current federal requirements. [12][13][14][15][16][17] OSA treatment recommendations, including minimum adherence standards for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy utilization, are also provided within expert panel publications. [9][10][11] A detailed overview of these recommendations is available in a separate article.…”

Excessive sleepiness and the risk of obstructive apnoea syndrome in professional ambulance drivers

“…Dijagnoza OSA se zasniva na karakterističnoj anamnezi, kliničkoj slici i identifikaciji posledica i komplikacija oboljenja. U praksi se često koriste upitnici (Berlin upitnik, Somni Sage upitnik) [44,45], i dijagnostički modeli koji kombinuju subjektivne tegobe i objektivne parametre (telesna visina, težina, obim vrata, uzrast, pol) kao što je STOP-BANG upitnik [46]. Zlatni standard za dijagnozu OSA je celonoćna kompletna polisomnografija (tzv.…”