Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Saudi Pilots

Abstract

Faris Alhejaili,1 Afnan Hafez,2 Siraj Wali,1 Ranya Alshumrani,1 Ahmed M Alzehairi,3 Mansour Balkhyour,4 Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal5 1Sleep Medicine Research Group, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Pulmonary Medicine Consultant, Sleep Medicine Specialist, Researcher at Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Somnogen Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario, M6H 1C5, CanadaCorrespondence: Faris AlhejailiCollege of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Consultant in Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, Deputy Director, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, PO BOX 21589, Jeddah, 80215, Saudi ArabiaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: To evaluate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using home sleep testing in pilots and first officers in Saudi-based airlines. This will allow for proper diagnosis and management of OSA in that group which can help in minimizing any possible aviation accidents related to sleep disturbances secondary to OSA.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted through Saudi-based aviation among pilots and first officers who were in service, active, and flying short- to medium-haul flights. Forty-one participants met the inclusion criteria. However, 39 out of 41 completed the study questionnaires (Berlin questionnaire, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Fatigue severity scale (FSS), Visual analog fatigue scale (VAFS), and Patient health questionnaire (PHQ9), along with home sleep testing.Results: Sixty-nine percent of the study population had OSA by home sleep testing. Majority of which had mild OSA (64%) and 5% had moderate and severe OSA (2.5% each). Results of different questionnaires showed one-third of the participants had insomnia, 33.3% of the participants had severe fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness was found in 23.1% of the participants, and 10.3% had moderate depression, while 25.6% were classified as having mild depression symptoms.Conclusion: Sleep apnea is prevalent among the studied Saudi-based airline pilots and first officers. Screening for workers of this high-risk occupation needs to be considered. Fatigue, depression, and insomnia can be secondary consequences of sleep apnea and should be assessed and treated early.Keywords: sleep apnea, insomnia, fatigue, depression, pilots, aviation

Keywords

• sleep apnea
• insomnia
• fatigue
• depression
• pilots
• aviation.