Excessive daytime sleepiness and alcohol consumption among commercial drivers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Commercial drivers suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) have been identified as a major cause of road traffic accidents. Alcohol usage directly affects sleep, adversely affecting next-day alertness and performance. AIMS: To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and EDS among commercial truck drivers in Japan and the implications of this on public health. METHODS: All participants in this cross-sectional study were commercial motor vehicle drivers from Tokyo and Niigata Prefecture. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire with details of their age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score and tobacco usage. Participants' oxygen desaturation index was determined by a pulse oximetry device that participants took home. RESULTS: A total of 1422 males registered with the Japan Trucking Association and aged 20-69 years participated. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of EDS among participants aged <43 years was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-1.40) for light drinkers, 0.93 (95% CI 0.51-1.70) for moderate drinkers and 0.61 (95% CI 0.21-1.79) for heavy drinkers, compared to non-drinkers. The multivariate-adjusted OR among participants aged ≥43 years was 1.42 (95% CI 0.59-3.45) for light drinkers, 1.53 (95% CI 0.63-3.75) for moderate drinkers and 3.37 (95% CI 1.14-9.96) for heavy drinkers (P for interaction = 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that the association between ESS and alcohol intake was more evident among those aged ≥43 years, who reported higher levels of EDS with increased alcohol consumption.