[Obstructive sleep apnea in shift workers].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to compare intensity of sleep disordered breathing in standard nocturnal polisomnography (PSG) and diurnal PSG after night shift in shift workers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

METHODS: 25 shift workers (24 M, 1 F), aged 45,4 +/- 9,1 yrs, of mean BMI 31,9 +/- 4,02 kg/m2 were studied. Nocturnal PSG and diurnal PSG after night shift were performed in all participants.

RESULTS: The mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) in diurnal PSG was higher than AHI in nocturnal PSG, 47,8+/- 27,4/h vs 38,0 +/-24,1/h respectively, (p<0,05). Not significant tendency towards higher oxygen desaturation index (ODI) in diurnal PSG was observed, 40,4 +/-25,5/h vs 31,9 +/-25,8/h respectively.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that there is a significant increase in AHI in diurnal PSG after night shift compared to standard night PSG in shift workers with OSAS. This may negatively influence diagnosis and treatment.