Faculty Collaboration Database

The prevalence of sleep problems in emergency medical technicians. Sleep Breath 2012 Mar;16(1):149-62

Date

01/07/2011

Pubmed ID

21210230

DOI

10.1007/s11325-010-0467-8

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84859156408 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   33 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence, demographic, and work associations of self-reported sleep complaints in US emergency medical technicians (EMTs)

METHODS: The mailed 2005 Longitudinal Emergency Medical Technician Attributes and Demographics Study (LEADS) questionnaire was distributed to selected EMTs that included 35 sleep-related questions. Questions were adapted from previously validated sleep medicine surveys, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and were used to estimate the prevalence of different sleep problems. These sleep problems were analyzed in relation to demographic, health, satisfaction, and workplace characteristics. Responses of individuals who were not working as EMTs were used as a comparison group.

RESULTS: Sleep problems in working EMTs were more prevalent than in a comparison group. Seventy percent of working EMTs had at least one sleep problem. The most common sleep problem was a risk of long sleep onset disorder (50%). EMTs with tiredness-related work difficulties were more than 50% as likely to report this problem. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS > 10) was 36%; 6% of the EMTs had an ESS > 16. EMTs reporting tiredness-related work difficulties were more than twice as likely to have ESS scores >10 and more than three times as likely to ESS scores >16. Symptom-defined risk of sleep apnea was present in 5%. Risks of sleep onset and maintenance disorder problems were more prevalent among those who worked longer shifts and had longer work weeks and were associated with poorer job satisfaction and poorer health.

CONCLUSIONS: Severe sleep problems and severe sleepiness at a level that may contribute to health and job issues are common in US EMTs. Although breathing disorders are common, behaviorally related sleep issues are more prevalent. These data support an increased focus on sleep onset and maintenance disorders.

Author List

Pirrallo RG, Loomis CC, Levine R, Woodson BT

Author

B Tucker Woodson MD Chief, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence
Emergency Medical Technicians
Fatigue
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Job Satisfaction
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Risk Factors
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Sleep Wake Disorders
South Africa
Work Schedule Tolerance