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Screening for Comorbidity of Sleep Disorders in Career Firefighters
Nancy A Hamilton1, Julia Russell, Kareem Hamadah
1From the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas (N.A.H., J.R., K.H., W.Y., A.T., T.A.N.); and Lawrence, Douglas County Fire and Medical, Lawrence, Kansas (K.J.).
Background:
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and sequelae of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and comorbid OSA and insomnia (COMISA).
Method:
In the morning, after a shift end, Midwest career firefighters ( N = 89) in a midsized city completed an electronic battery of questionnaire to screen for OSA, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, presleep arousal, nightmares, mental and physical health symptoms, and a one-night sleep diary.
Results:
Prevalence of firefighters exceeding screening thresholds: OSA: 54%; insomnia: 30%; COMISA: 17%; four or more nightmares per month: 15%. Firefighters who met criteria for COMISA had shorter total sleep time, less restful and worse sleep quality, higher depression and anxiety symptoms, and presleep arousal symptoms than firefighters without self-reported sleep problems.
Conclusions:
Many firefighters are at elevated risk of individual behavioral sleep disorders, COMISA, and daytime dysfunction.
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