Workers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: proposal of a clinical-anamnestic tool for the occupational health surveillance

Introduction: The Obstructive Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is a chronic disease with recurrent episodes of obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. OSA is a significant cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, determines about 7% of all road accidents and exposes the workers to a double risk of work-related road accidents (WRAs). The aim of this study is to propose a clinical-anamnestic tool that can be used in the occupational health surveillance (OHS) for the workers at risk of WRAs and occupational accidents (OAs). Methods: A cross-sectional study on 90 patients with OSA was conducted in an Italian hospital (Rome) (January-September 2021). All participants were asked to complete the proposed questionnaire. The study protocol was included the polysomnography and medical examination too. Results: Of the 90 patients, 27 were women (30%) and 63 men (70%) with average age 52 years (SD11) and length of service 29.4 years (SD12). The Apneae-Hypopnea Index (AHI) was calculated in all patients: 30 patients (34%) in moderate and 38 (43%) in severe AHI severity categories. The average value of the patients’ body mass index was 29 (SD7) and the neck circumference was 41 (SD9). The results of our tool highlighted that: 41 subjects (49%) reported RA while driving a vehicle, 23 persons (26%) reported OAs, 10 patients (12%) WRAs and 18 (21%) reported at least one episode of falling asleep while driving. Conclusion: Assuming the impact of the OSA on the occupational fitness of workers, particularly those at greatest risk of WRAs and OAs, the OSH programs play a strategic role in the preliminary diagnosing and for monitoring the syndrome.