Yield of overnight pulse oximetry in screening commercial drivers for obstructive sleep apnea

To assess the efficacy of overnight pulse oximetry in screening male commercial drivers (CDs) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Consecutive male CDs undergoing their annual scheduled occupational health visit were enrolled from ten transportation facilities. All subjects underwent a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) to determine the Respiratory Event Index (REI). Oxygen desaturation indices (ODIs) below the 3% and 4% thresholds were computed using the built-in HSAT pulse oximeter. We then assessed the association between ODI values and the presence of OSA (defined as an REI ≥ 5 events/hour) as well as moderate to severe OSA (REI ≥ 15 events/hour).

Of 331 CDs recruited, 278 (84%) completed the study protocol and 53 subjects were excluded due to inadequate HSAT quality. The included and excluded subjects were comparable in demographics and clinical characteristics. The included CDs had a median age of 49 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 15 years) and a median body mass index of 27 kg/m² (IQR = 5 kg/m²). One hundred ninety-nine (72%) CDs had OSA, of which 48 (17%) were with moderate OSA and 45 (16%) with severe OSA. The ODI₃ and ODI₄ receiving operating characteristic curve value were 0.95 for predicting OSA and 0.98-0.96 for predicting moderate to severe OSA.

Overnight oxygen oximetry may be an effective means to screen CDs for OSA.