Relationship between Epworth Sleepiness Scale and obstructive sleep apnea with road accidents

The present study was conducted to assess the role of sleepiness during the day (ESS) and sleep apnea in road accidents in Shahroud drivers. In this cross-sectional study, 312 drivers of members of Shahroud's terminals were studied in 1392. Demographic, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) standard questionnaire with seven scales, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire with 8 items and STOP BANG questionnaire with 8 questions were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 18. Nearly 16% of drivers had accident history in the past five years. The mean ± SD total score of sleep quality (PSQI) in drivers was 4/5 ± 2/85 and 27/5% of them had poor sleep quality. 5/6% of drivers had Epworth sleepiness scale over 10, which is clinically significant. 11/5% of drivers with STOP BANG> 3 were diagnosed in terms of respiratory disorders. ESS in drivers who had accident history in the past year (p= 0.004) and past five years (p= 0.003) and also perpetrate in accident (p= 0.012) was more than other drivers. Significant relationships were observed between ESS and perpetrate in accident and accident history in this study. However, this relationship between ESS and injury or death in accident was not observed. More than 10% of drivers with sleep apnea disorder were candidates for referral to sleep clinic.