Truckers Drive Their Own Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Collaborative Approach to Online Self-Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Difference between revisions
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Strengths of this study include the large number of participants, the specific and select method for recruitment of commercial drivers, and the robust association of classic sleep apnea symptoms with drowsy driving. Weaknesses include the fact that data were collected anonymously (we have no way of knowing who the respondents were), and the self-reported and subjective nature of our screening tool. However, the Berlin Questionnaire was recommended by the FMCSA’s Medical Expert Panel as an appropriate screening tool<sup>[10]</sup>, and was among the most specific of screening tools for OSA in an web-based model<sup>[17]</sup>. Perhaps the biggest weakness is that this self-selected group of respondents included mostly individuals who already suspected that they had sleep apnea. While acknowledging that this is true, we still believe that these survey results present some useful findings. | Strengths of this study include the large number of participants, the specific and select method for recruitment of commercial drivers, and the robust association of classic sleep apnea symptoms with drowsy driving. Weaknesses include the fact that data were collected anonymously (we have no way of knowing who the respondents were), and the self-reported and subjective nature of our screening tool. However, the Berlin Questionnaire was recommended by the FMCSA’s Medical Expert Panel as an appropriate screening tool<sup>[10]</sup>, and was among the most specific of screening tools for OSA in an web-based model<sup>[17]</sup>. Perhaps the biggest weakness is that this self-selected group of respondents included mostly individuals who already suspected that they had sleep apnea. While acknowledging that this is true, we still believe that these survey results present some useful findings. | ||
A significant weakness of this study the fact that the respondents to the survey were self-selected, and thus were almost certainly at higher risk for OSA than the general commercial driver population. These results may not be generalizable to the over commercial driver population, although they may be generalizable to the overweight/obese group of drivers. In addition, because of the need for simplicity and brevity, we did not collect demographic data from survey participants. Further, because of our IRB requirements for anonymity, it is impossible to verify if the individuals who completed the survey were actually commercial vehicle drivers, or to be absolutely certain that each respondent only completed the survey once. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||