Sleepiness and sleep disorders in shift workers: a study on a group of italian police officers.
OBJECTIVE
evaluation of shift-work effect on sleepiness, sleep disorders, and sleep-related accidents in a population of police officers.


METHODS
Aquestionnaire-based survey was used to gather information on age and physical characteristics, working conditions, sleep problems, and accidents. Sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) while the presence of sleep disorders was evaluated by a score (SDS) drawn from indicators of insomnia, breathing disorders, periodic limb movements and restless legs syndrome, and hypersomnia. The effects of age, gender, body mass index, working conditions, and seniority on ESS, SD score, and accidents were analyzed by linear and logistic regression.


METHODS
The self-administered questionnaires were filled in by police officers in the district of Genoa (Italy).


METHODS
1,280 police officers: 611 shift workers (SW) and 669 non-shift workers (NSW).


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
The ESS score was not higher in SW than in NSW, while the SDS was significantly influenced by shift-work conditions and seniority in shift work. The occurrence of sleep-ascribed accidents was significantly increased in the SW group and related to the presence of indicators of sleep disorders. There was evidence for sleep disorders in 35.7% of SW and in 26.3% of NSW.


CONCLUSIONS
Shift-work conditions and seniority may enhance sleep disorders and may favor sleep-related accidents, but they do not influence ESS score. Stressful conditions could cause sleepiness to be underestimated, or else they might overcome sleepiness. However, our data should alert occupational health physicians for the diagnosis and prevention of possible undetected intrinsic sleep disorders, which could possibly worsen shift workers' health and increase the risk of accidents.
Garbarino
Sergio
S
De Carli
Fabrizio
F
Nobili
Lino
L
Mascialino
Barbara
B
Squarcia
Sandro
S
Penco
Maria Antonietta
MA
Beelke
Manolo
M
Ferrilla
Franco
F
D000328:Adult; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires