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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Sleep complaints and fatigue of airline pilots
Cátia Reis1, Catarina Mestre2, Helena Canhão3
1Centro de Medicina do Sono - CENC, Rua Conde das Antas no.5, 1070-068 Lisbon, Portugal; ISAMB-Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
This work aimed to determine daytime sleepiness and sleep complaints prevalence and the corresponding influence on perceived fatigue and to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic parameters and labour variables on sleep complaints, sleepiness and fatigue. A questionnaire was developed including socio-economic and labour issues and instruments, focused in sleep and fatigue. The response rate was 32% and the final sample had 435 pilots. The prevalence of sleep complaints was 34.9%, daytime sleepiness 59.3% and fatigue 90.6%. The high prevalence of sleep complaints, sleepiness and fatigue was disclosed in pilots, with those who fly short/medium having an added risk of fatigue.
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