title: [The detection of the sleep apnea syndrome in a population of professional drivers].
abstract: The aim of this study was to reduce the risk of traffic accidents related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by means its detection and treatment in a group of 100 commercial drivers from Seville. Besides, to analyze which clinical findings could suggest OSAS. By means a questionnaire we selected subjects without (questionnaire score < 10 points) and with (questionnaire score > or = 10) clinical history of OSAS. In cases with score > or = 10, an overnight home polygraphy was carried out (Apnoescreen II, Jaeger), with measurement of oronasal airflow, chest and abdominal movements, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, body position and actimetry. We performed a manual analysis of recordings, and polygraphy was considered to be positive for OSAS if both AHI (respiratory events Index) or DI (desaturation Index) were > or = 10. In these positive cases, overnight conventional polysomnography was carried out (SleepLab, Jaeger), with therapeutic tests with CPAP if OSAS was diagnosed (AHI > or = 10). Average age and BMI (Body Mass Index) were 41.5 +/- 0.9 years and 28.2 +/- 0.4 kg/m2. Questionnaire was positive in 59 subjects, in 35 of whom home polysomnography was done. We did not find differences in age, BMI, neck circumference or symptomatology among these 35 drivers and the 24 remaining subjects in whom home polygraphy was not performed. Home polygraphy was positive in 10 subjects and negative In 25. Drivers in first group were older, heavier and complaint more frequently about snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness. We did not find differences in neck circumference, waist/hip ratio nor alcohol consumption between both groups. From the group with positive polygraphy, we performed conventional polysomnography in 8 cases and OSAS was diagnosed in 5 (in all cases, treatment with CPAP was started). This study does not provide data about prevalence, but it seems that the percentage of our drivers with OSAS could be lightly higher than the prevalence in general population. These subjects seem to be older, heavier and complaint more frequently about snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness.
authors.affiliation: Unidad del Sueño, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez Armengol
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cano Gómez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capote Gil
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García Díaz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carmona Bernal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castillo Gómez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires