SLEEP RESPIRATORY DISEASE AND OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE: CONSIDERATIONS ON 20 CLINICAL CASES

During 2004,in the center for sleep disorders,a questionnaire including Epworth sleepiness scale (ES)was administered to 120 subjects;20 male subjects of this group with elevate score ( ES > 14)were selected and submitted to polysomnography. Subjects, all in working age, were represented by shift corkers (3 people), the remaining 17 people carried out daily shift (9 drivers, 5 building workers, 3 white collars). By polysomnograpy moderate-severe OSHAS was diagnosed (moderat: 40%, severe 60% of cases).C Pap terapy led to an improvement of clinical symptoms since the first month.Counselling of occupational medical physician with the centre for sleep disorders was useful to direct the action of occupational physician, expecially for job requiring high vigilance (drivers or shift workers).The pass certificate for job at higher risk (alone, in high place,heavy means drivers)cannot avoid to evaluate this patology, that is often associated to other related risk factors (obesity,hypertension, diabetes) becasue it compromise both the specific suitability and the protection of common health and safety.