Demographic and clinical characteristics in disability assessment of sleep disorder patients

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics in the disability assessment of patients with sleep disorders. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 122 patients referred for disability evaluations related to sleep disorders. Demographic data, clinical parameters, and disability outcomes were analyzed. Key parameters such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), and the presence of other sleep disorders were assessed across patient subgroups. Results: Patients applying for military service eligibility assessments had a mean age of 25.3 ± 8.7 years and a median ESS score of 7. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was present in 37.5% of cases. Fifty percent of these patients were deemed unfit for military service. Patients applying for health reports for driver’s licenses had a mean age of 47.6 ± 5.6 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.3 ± 8.6 kg/m2. Severe OSAS was diagnosed in most cases, and eligibility for driver’s licenses was confirmed for all patients. Patients applying for disability reports had a mean age of 47.7 ± 9.2 years, a mean BMI of 34.4 ± 6.8 kg/m2, and a median AHI of 40. Severe OSAS was diagnosed in 79.5% of those granted disability retirement. Excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly less common in this group compared to other disability subgroups. Conclusions: Severe OSAS plays a prominent role in functional impairment and disability assessments, particularly in high-risk occupational settings. Other sleep disorders and sleep duration variations also influence disability outcomes, underlining the need for comprehensive sleep evaluations in disability determinations.

Keywords

• sleep disorders
• obstructive sleep apnea
• disability evaluation
• military service
• driver’s licenses
• excessive daytime sleepiness

Supporting Institution

YOK

Ethical Statement

The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 19.04.2023, Decision No: 154).

Thanks

YOK

Uyku bozukluğu hastalarının engellilik değerlendirmesinde demografik ve klinik özellikler

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, uyku bozukluğu olan hastaların engellilik değerlendirmelerinde demografik ve klinik özelliklerin etkisini araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Yöntemler: Uyku bozukluklarıyla ilgili engellilik değerlendirmelerine yönlendirilen 122 hasta üzerinde retrospektif bir analiz yapılmıştır. Demografik veriler, klinik parametreler ve engellilik sonuçları analiz edilmiştir. Epworth Uykululuk Ölçeği (ESS), Apne-Hipopne İndeksi (AHI) ve diğer uyku bozukluklarının varlığı gibi temel parametreler hasta alt grupları arasında değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Askerlik hizmetine uygunluk değerlendirmesine başvuran hastaların ortalama yaşı 25,3 ± 8,7 yıl, median ESS skoru ise 7 olarak bulunmuş, vakaların %37,5’inde OSAS tespit edilmiştir. Bu hastaların yarısı askerlik için uygun bulunmamıştır. Sürücü belgesi sağlık raporu için başvuran hastaların ortalama yaşı 47,6 ± 5,6 yıl, ortalama BMI değeri 35,3 ± 8,6 kg/m² olarak saptanmıştır. Vakaların çoğunda şiddetli OSAS teşhis edilmiş ve tüm hastalar için sürücü belgesi uygunluk raporu verilmiştir. Engellilik raporu için başvuran hastaların ortalama yaşı 47,7 ± 9,2 yıl, ortalama BMI değeri 34,4 ± 6,8 kg/m² ve median AHI değeri 40 olarak bulunmuştur. Engellilik nedeniyle emeklilik hakkı tanınan hastaların %79,5’inde şiddetli OSAS teşhis edilmiştir. Aşırı gündüz uykululuğu bu grupta diğer engellilik alt gruplarına göre belirgin şekilde daha az yaygın bulunmuştur. Sonuçlar: Şiddetli OSAS, işlevsel bozulma ve engellilik değerlendirmelerinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır, özellikle yüksek riskli meslek gruplarında daha belirgindir. Diğer uyku bozuklukları ve uyku süresindeki değişiklikler de engellilik sonuçlarını etkilemektedir. Bu durum, engellilik belirlemelerinde kapsamlı uyku değerlendirmelerinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Uyku bozuklukları
• obstrüktif uyku apnesi
• engellilik değerlendirmesi
• askerlik hizmeti
• ehliyetler
• aşırı gündüz uykululuğu

Supporting Institution

YOK

Ethical Statement

The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 19.04.2023, Decision No: 154).

Thanks

YOK

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