Nocturnal polygraphy in public transport drivers in Bucharest – cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a significant public health concern due to its high prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality. This retrospective descriptive study analyses the cardiovascular comorbidities in 47 public transport drivers from Bucharest who underwent nocturnal polygraphy. This study found that 95.5% of participants had OSAS, with varying severity levels. Hypertension was present in 70.2% of cases, while diabetes mellitus was observed in 31.9%. This study also revealed a strong correlation between obesity and OSAS by measuring apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), oxygen saturation levels and body mass index (BMI). Surprisingly, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not align with other indicators of sleep apnoea, possibly due to professional bias or fear of job loss. The findings highlight the need for systematic screening of OSAS in high-risk occupational groups. Additionally, emerging research suggests a potential link between intermittent hypoxia in OSAS and increased cancer risk, warranting further investigation.