Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in truck drivers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), as well as to identify factors associated with a greater risk of developing OSAS, among truck drivers.


METHODS
The study population comprised 209 truck drivers (mean age, 38.8 years; 98.5% males) at two branches of a transportation company. The mean body mass index was 26.5 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2). The participants completed questionnaires regarding sociodemographic data, physical activity and OSAS. The prevalence of OSAS was estimated using the Berlin Questionnaire, associations between OSAS and the factors studied being assessed through univariate and multivariate regression analysis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of OSAS in the population was 11.5%. Of the 209 truck drivers, 72 (34.5%) reported having fallen asleep while driving and 81 (38.7%) reported snoring. The following variables were found to present statistically significant associations with OSAS: informal employment (OR = 0.27; p = 0.01); body mass index > 25 kg/m(2) (OR = 13.64; p = 0.01); and poor sleep quality (OR = 3.00; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of OSAS in this study was lower than that reported in other studies of truck drivers and yet higher that that observed for the general population. In addition, our results suggest that work characteristics, such as employment status, are associated with OSAS. These data show the relevance of considering work activity in studies of factors associated with OSAS.
Lemos
Lucia Castro
LC
University of São Paulo School of Public Health, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. lucalemos@usp.br
Marqueze
Elaine Cristina
EC
Sachi
Fernanda
F
Lorenzi-Filho
Geraldo
G
Moreno
Claudia Roberta de Castro
CR
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology