Sleep Apnea, Sleep Debt and Daytime Sleepiness Are Independently Associated with Road Accidents. A Cross-Sectional Study on Truck Drivers

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166262
• Publication Date: 2016-11-30T19:17:36Z
• Authors: Sergio Garbarino; Paolo Durando; Ottavia Guglielmi; Guglielmo Dini; Francesca Bersi; Stefania Fornarino; Alessandra Toletone; Carlo Chiorri; Nicola Magnavita
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Recent research has found evidence of an association between motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or near miss (NMAs), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) its main medical cause, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, EDS can also be due to non-medical factors, such as sleep debt (SD), which is common among professional truck drivers. On the opposite side, rest breaks naps are known protect against accidents.To investigate OSA, SD, EDS, naps, with occurrence MVAs NMAs in a large sample drivers.949 male drivers took part cross-sectional examination were asked complete questionnaire about waking habits, risk factors for OSA EDS.MVAs reported by 34.8% 9.2% participants, respectively. significantly predicted (OR = 2.32 CI95% 1.68-3.20), SD 1.45 1.29-1.63), 1.73 1.15-2.61) prevented 0.59 0.44-0.79) 0.63 0.45-0.89). 2.39 1.47-3.87) 1.49 1.27-1.76) 0.52 0.32-0.85) 0.49 0.29-0.82).When present, severely increased. Taking break nap appear protective accidents.