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Comparative Study
. 2012 Apr 1;35(4):469-75.
doi: 10.5665/sleep.1726.

Assessing sleepiness and sleep disorders in Australian long-distance commercial vehicle drivers: self-report versus an "at home" monitoring device

Lisa N Sharwood  1 , Jane Elkington, Mark Stevenson, Ronald R Grunstein, Lynn Meuleners, Rebecca Q Ivers, Narelle Haworth, Robyn Norton, Keith K Wong
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Assessing sleepiness and sleep disorders in Australian long-distance commercial vehicle drivers: self-report versus an "at home" monitoring device

Lisa N Sharwood et al. Sleep. .

Erratum in

  • Sleep. 2013 Mar;36(3):449

Abstract

Study objectives: As obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a higher risk of motor vehicle crashes, there is increasing regulatory interest in the identification of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers with this condition. This study aimed to determine the relationship between subjective versus objective assessment of OSA in CMV drivers.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Settings: Heavy vehicle truck stops located across the road network of 2 large Australian states.

Participants: A random sample of long distance commercial vehicle drivers (n = 517).

Interventions: None.

Measurements and results: Drivers were interviewed regarding their driving experience, personal health, shift schedules, payments, and various questions on sleep and tiredness in order to describe their sleep health across a range of variables. In addition, home recordings using a flow monitor were used during one night of sleep. Only 4.4% of drivers reported a previous diagnosis of sleep apnea, while our at home diagnostic test found a further 41% of long-distance heavy vehicle drivers likely to have sleep apnea. The multivariable apnea prediction index, based on self-report measures, showed poor agreement with the home-monitor detected sleep apnea (AUC 0.58, 95%CI = 0.49-0.62), and only 12% of drivers reported daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10). Thirty-six percent of drivers were overweight and a further 50% obese; 49% of drivers were cigarette smokers.

Conclusions: Sleep apnea remains a significant and unrecognized problem in CMV drivers, who we found to have multiple health risks. Objective testing for this sleep disorder needs to be considered, as symptom reports and self-identification appear insufficient to accurately identify those at risk.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; commercial vehicle drivers; measurement; policy; sleepiness.

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Comment in

  • Keep on truckin'.
    Phillips BA. Phillips BA. Sleep. 2012 Apr 1;35(4):447-8. doi: 10.5665/sleep.1714. Sleep. 2012. PMID: 22467978 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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