Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA) is a common condition that may lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive disturbance, and a decreased concentration that are associated with the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. It is difficult to diagnose OSA due to low severity and specificity of its symptoms and special requirements in respect of medical resources. We assumed that it would be more effective and cost-efficient to diagnose OSA in railway workers with such risk factors f coronary heart disease as arterial hypertension and metabolic disorders since this group receives comprehensive medical attention. However, no studies on the prevalence of OSA in railway workers specifically considered the risk factors for coronary artery disease. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of OSA in railway workers with confirmed cardiovascular and metabolic disorders that did not disqualify them from their job. Material and methods. The study included 967 railway workers (locomotive drivers and their assistants). On Stage 1, a group of participants suspected OSA was selected; and on Stage 2, a group of participants with confirmed OSA was formed. Polysomnography or cardiorespiratory monitoring were used to diagnose OSA. Results. We developed a two-step algorithm of OSA diagnosis that included a preliminary assessment of the probability of OSA. 236 (24.4%) participants with a probability of OSA were selected among the initial 967 persons with risk factors for coronary artery disease. Further assessment confirmed OSA in 141 (60%) participants in this group. The analysis of distribution of risk factors for coronary artery disease and OSA showed that 125 (53.0%) of patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², 115 (48.7%) of patients with AH, and 26 (11.0%) of patients with type 2 diabetes had OSA; most of them had some combination of these risk factors. Conclusions: OSA is prevalent in the group of professionally active locomotive drivers and their assistants with risk factors for coronary heart disease; every second worker in a target group with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², AH or with both risk factors was diagnosed with OSA. The proposed two-step algorithm with a pre-test assessment of OSA probability and subsequent instrumental examination (cardiorespiratory monitoring, polysomnography) allows to accurately diagnosis OSA and allocate medical resources in a cost-effective manner.
Serum adiponectin in coronary heart disease: ethnic differences and relation to coronary artery disease severity
