Sleep Disorders Among Commercial Airline Pilots

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over the next 20 yr, international market expansion will necessitate the production of new commercial airplanes and the recruitment of additional crewmembers and technicians. Research has proven that fatigue and lack of sleep are risk factors for impaired cognitive performance and human error. Pilots frequently report fatigue to their employers, which may be related to sleep disturbance. Airline pilots, in particular, often experience circadian desynchronization and other types of sleep disorders. Shift workers have been observed to be at higher risk of fatigue that affects their performance and alertness. In Saudi Arabia, sleep disorders among airline pilots are understudied and underreported. The primary objective of this study was to screen for and determine the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression among pilots.METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with national commercial pilots was conducted from March 2019 to March 2020 using validated questionnaires to screen for the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression.RESULTS: In total, 344 pilots participated in the study. Half the sample was at risk for insomnia and fatigue. Older and more experienced pilots were less likely to suffer impaired sleep quality, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. In total, 59 (17.2%) pilots were at high risk for sleep apnea.CONCLUSION: The current study found that pilots were at risk of developing sleep disorders. A more robust and objective assessment is warranted for screening.Alzehairi A, Alhejaili F, Wali S, Al Qassas I, Balkhyour M, Pandi-Perumal SR. Sleep disorders among commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):937–944.

Sleep, time, and space—fatigue and performance deficits in pilots, commercial truck drivers, and astronauts

“…The research about pilots [ 40–42 , 45 , 47–49 , 51–53 , 58 , 60–62 , 64 , 65 , 67 ], truck drivers [ 50 , 56 , 63 ], and astronauts [ 43 , 44 , 46 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 59 , 66 ] included laboratory studies (e.g. conducted in stimulators) [ 43 , 44 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 66 ] and field investigations (where data acquisition occurred during normal occupational activities) [ 40–42 , 45–52 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 60–65 , 67 ].…”

“…The research about pilots [ 40–42 , 45 , 47–49 , 51–53 , 58 , 60–62 , 64 , 65 , 67 ], truck drivers [ 50 , 56 , 63 ], and astronauts [ 43 , 44 , 46 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 59 , 66 ] included laboratory studies (e.g. conducted in stimulators) [ 43 , 44 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 66 ] and field investigations (where data acquisition occurred during normal occupational activities) [ 40–42 , 45–52 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 60–65 , 67 ]. Most pilots were employed by commercial airlines (to transport passengers) [ 40–42 , 45 , 47–49 , 51 , 53 , 60–62 , 64 , 65 , 67 ] with the exception of studies about maritime piloting (to guide ships) [ 52 ] and military transport operations [ 58 ].…”

“…conducted in stimulators) [ 43 , 44 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 66 ] and field investigations (where data acquisition occurred during normal occupational activities) [ 40–42 , 45–52 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 60–65 , 67 ]. Most pilots were employed by commercial airlines (to transport passengers) [ 40–42 , 45 , 47–49 , 51 , 53 , 60–62 , 64 , 65 , 67 ] with the exception of studies about maritime piloting (to guide ships) [ 52 ] and military transport operations [ 58 ]. Two papers about truck drivers utilized the same group of drivers (who had irregular start times) [ 56 , 63 ]; another sample of truck drivers worked rotating day- and night-shifts with predictable start times [ 50 ].…”

“…Sleep was measured objectively in space [ 43 , 46 , 54 , 55 ] and on Earth [ 41–43 , 45–50 , 53 , 56 , 61–63 , 65 , 66 ]. In addition to actigraphy [ 41–43 , 45–50 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 61–63 , 65 , 66 ], subjects completed sleep diaries [ 43 , 45–50 , 53 , 54 , 60 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 67 ], and questionnaires, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quantity Index (PSQI) [ 40 , 42 , 50 , 66 ] and Athens Insomnia Scale [ 40 ]. Polysomnography was utilized in one study for a quantitative analysis of the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) in astronauts before, during, and after a space mission [ 55 ].…”

“…Subjects’ sleeping periods were restricted by researchers in two studies to examine the effects of sleep deprivation [ 44 , 59 ]. Eleven of the articles did not provide any sleep duration data [ 40 , 44 , 49 , 55 , 56 , 58–61 , 64 , 67 ]. When sleep durations were calculated, sleeping ~6 hrs/day was common in all three occupations [ 43 , 45 , 46 , 53 , 54 , 63 , 65 ].…”