[Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a group of obese workers]

The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a quite diffused in workers disease, mainly in obese or overweight subjects. This syndrome can cause cardiovascular and cerebral complications and have negative effects on job performances. We evaluated 214 obese/overweight workers referred from different job areas. A diagnosis of OSAS was pre-existent in about 5% of the examined subjects, and clinical elements suggesting suspect of OSAS were present in about 15% of the sample. The risk of development Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome seems to be linear correlated with BMI, neck and waist circumference. We did not find any correlation between OSAS risk and job area. We strongly suggest that health surveillance should include the evaluation of the possible presence of sleep disorders to reduce the risks associated and the negative consequences on job performances.