Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of symptoms of sleep related breathing disorders in shiftwork nurses and to evaluate relationship between occupational accident and the symptoms.

Material and Method: Data of 410 nurses was evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to get information on their socio-demographic data, presence of witnessed apnea during sleep, the prevalence of snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and frequency of other symptoms and having any occupational accident.

Results: The prevalence of habitual snoring, witnessed apnea excessive daytime sleepiness was 5.4%, 22.4%, 47.1% respectively. Snoring (p<0.001) and witnessed apnea (p<0.001) prevalence was higher in overweight nurses. Mean values of the body mass index (p<0.001), neck circumflex (p=0.03), co-morbid disease (p<0.001) and the prevalence of witnessed apnea (p<0.001) among the nurses with habitual snoring were statistically higher than the nurses without habitual snoring. 51 nurses (12.4%) had been involved in an occupational accident. The prevalence of snoring (p=0.008) and mean Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) were higher than the group without accidents. The ESS was higher than 10 points in 63 (15.4%) of the interviews. In this group occupational accident prevalence was 4.1 times higher than the group with less than 10 points ESS.

Conclusion: We come to the conclusion that interrogating the sleep related disorders symptoms in adults and also performing diagnostic procedures and treatment in case of suspicion may decrease the morbidity of sleep related breathing disorders. (Tur Toraks Der 2010; 11: 105-8)