Investigation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Portable Monitors and Health Check Data in Japanese Drivers

Aims: The identification and appropriate management of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers with unrecognized obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public health concern and priority; OSA among drivers has not been fully investigated in Japan, and a better understanding of this undiagnosed disease is warranted. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of OSA and the factors related to apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in Japanese CMV drivers. Methods: This retrospective study included 1309 Japanese CMV drivers aged 40–69 years. All the subjects received type IV portable sleep monitors (PMs) with Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a periodic health check including anthropometrical and laboratory measurements, and a questionnaire of medical history, smoking status, and life style, following which variables related to AHI were analyzed. Results: Of all the subjects, 23.9% had moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15). Age, body mass index (BMI), Log(e)HbA1c and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed significance with AHI in 1309 subjects. The following factors were found to have significant odds ratio (OR) for AHI of ≥ 15 in 1309 subjects: age, ESS, DBP, and Log(e)HbA1c. Conclusion: Notably, drivers with undiagnosed OSA exist. In these subjects, AHI was related to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. For the early diagnosis and intervention of OSA, BMI, blood pressure, and HbA1c measurements may be helpful, particularly for drivers. Furthermore, when performing an objective assessment of the suspected OSA, evaluating these parameters during routine medical check-ups may be useful and feasible in the detection of drivers with latent OSA.