Obstructive sleep apnea in shift workers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In modern society, the number of people working night shifts is increasing. The aim of the study was to investigate effects of shift work on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) during daytime and nighttime sleep in patients with OSAS.

METHODS:

Twenty-nine male and two female shift workers (SW) with OSAS were investigated. Their mean age was 47±10years, BMI 32±4kg/m(2). The control group consisted of 10 male patients with OSAS, matched for age, BMI, and hours of night sleep, not working on shifts. Nocturnal and diurnal after night shift or sleep deprivation polysomnographies (PSG) were performed in all subjects.

RESULTS:

Comparison of diurnal and nocturnal PSG recordings in the SW group demonstrated a significantly higher AHI in diurnal PSG after the night shift vs. nocturnal PSG (50±27 vs. 32±22, P<0.05). During daytime sleep SW OSAS patients demonstrated higher AHI than sleep-deprived controls (49.7±26.6 vs. 30.1±21.9, P<0.05) and higher ODI (44.1±25.1 vs. 21.6±18.5, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Significantly higher severity of OSAS during daytime sleep after night shift may intensify unfavorable health effects of OSAS. Patients with OSAS if not effectively treated should avoid nighttime work.

• Authors: Marcin Paciorek, Piotr Korczyński, Piotr Bielicki, Krzysztof Byśkiniewicz, Jan Zieliński, Ryszarda Chazan
• Journal: Sleep medicine (Sleep Med) Vol. 12 Issue 3 Pg. 274-7 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1878-5506 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21316298 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Oxygen

Topics

• Adult
• Circadian Rhythm (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oxygen (metabolism)
• Polysomnography
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sleep Apnea, Obstructive (etiology, physiopathology)
• Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm (complications, physiopathology)
• Sleep Stages