Mohammed A Al-Abri1, Samir Al-Adawi2, Ibrahim Al-Abri1, Faisal Al-Abri1, Atsu Dorvlo3, Ronald Wesonga4, Sanjay Jaju5. 1. Department of Clinical Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. 2. Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. 3. Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic & Biomedical Sciences, University of Health & Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana. 4. Department of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. 5. Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Sleepiness and fatigue play significant roles in exacerbating the occurrence of car crashes. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the prevalence of sleepiness while driving among Omanis. This study aimed to determine the proportion of young Omani adults who confess to daytime sleepiness while driving and to investigate associations between gender, daytime sleepiness and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between May and July 2014 and included 600 young adult Omani non-commercial drivers. The Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were distributed among the participants, along with additional questions about their sleeping habits. Associations between daytime sleepiness while driving and nocturnal sleep duration, risk of OSAS and gender were determined. RESULTS: A total of 492 private vehicle drivers took part in the study (response rate: 82%), of which 50.4% were male. Overall, 124 Omanis (25.2%) reported experiencing daytime sleepiness while driving at least once per month. There was a significant association between nocturnal sleep duration of <6 hours and sleepiness while driving (P = 0.042). Female participants were significantly more likely to score >10 on the ESS, indicating a greater propensity for daytime sleepiness (P = 0.006). However, male drivers were significantly more likely to report sleepiness while driving (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sleepiness while driving was common among young male drivers in Oman and might be due to nocturnal sleep deprivation. Further studies are needed so that preventative measures can be developed.
OBJECTIVES: Sleepiness and fatigue play significant roles in exacerbating the occurrence of car crashes. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the prevalence of sleepiness while driving among Omanis. This study aimed to determine the proportion of young Omani adults who confess to daytime sleepiness while driving and to investigate associations between gender, daytime sleepiness and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between May and July 2014 and included 600 young adult Omani non-commercial drivers. The Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were distributed among the participants, along with additional questions about their sleeping habits. Associations between daytime sleepiness while driving and nocturnal sleep duration, risk of OSAS and gender were determined. RESULTS: A total of 492 private vehicle drivers took part in the study (response rate: 82%), of which 50.4% were male. Overall, 124 Omanis (25.2%) reported experiencing daytime sleepiness while driving at least once per month. There was a significant association between nocturnal sleep duration of <6 hours and sleepiness while driving (P = 0.042). Female participants were significantly more likely to score >10 on the ESS, indicating a greater propensity for daytime sleepiness (P = 0.006). However, male drivers were significantly more likely to report sleepiness while driving (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sleepiness while driving was common among young male drivers in Oman and might be due to nocturnal sleep deprivation. Further studies are needed so that preventative measures can be developed.
Authors: Robert Daniel Vorona; Mariana Szklo-Coxe; Rajan Lamichhane; J Catesby Ware; Ann McNallen; David Leszczyszyn Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2014-11-15 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Susan L Calhoun; Alexandros N Vgontzas; Julio Fernandez-Mendoza; Susan D Mayes; Marina Tsaoussoglou; Maria Basta; Edward O Bixler Journal: Sleep Date: 2011-04-01 Impact factor: 5.849