Excessive daytime sleepiness and obstructive sleep apnea among aircrew: A questionnaire survey

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition resulting in disrupted sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness/somnolence (EDS) with demonstrable deficits in cognitive and psychomotor performance. Indian studies have shown the prevalence of 4.9–19.7% in males and 2.1–7.4% in females. Prevalence among military aviators is unknown. Materials and Methods: EDS was determined by employing Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) among the 54 male aircrews in an airbase. The risk for OSA was also determined among these individuals using STOP-BANG questionnaire. Results and Discussion: It was found that none of the aircrews in the study group is found to have dangerously sleepy (DS). About 11.11% of the studied population were found to have EDS which is less than the prevalence rate in India as per a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences on general population and the Western world (prevalence rate of 16.7%) as found by Gislason et al. OSA risk among the study population was (n = 9/54) 16.16%. The prevalence of OSA in India male is reported as 4.9–17.9%. Thus, percentage of aircrew showing the risk for OSA in this cross-sectional study is comparable with the general population in India. However, no correlation was found between the risk factors of OSA with ESS. The reasons for EDS could be attributed to factors such as personal lifestyle, sleeping habits, and poor work-rest schedules. It is interesting to note that none of the aircrew, who is positive for OSA risk, is showing EDS/DS. This further confirms that OSA risk individuals may not have EDS/DS and this could be a reason why, OSA largely remains underdiagnosed and untreated in clinical practice. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study has brought the conclusion that both EDS and risk for OSA coexists even in a fit and healthy population of aircrew.