Occupational Sleep Medicine

Occupation-Induced Fatigue and Impacts on Emergency First Responders: A Systematic Review

Fatigue in emergency first responders (EFRs) is known to affect performance abilities and safety outcomes for both patients and EFRs. The primary aim of this review was to determine the main contributors to occupation-induced fatigue in EFRs and its subsequent impacts. Following the PRIMSA checklist, academic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) were searched using key terms with results subjected to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Populations of interest were firefighters, paramedics, or emergency call centre personnel. Of the 5633 records identified, 43 studies, which reported on 186 unique measures from a total population of 6373 participants, informed the review. Synthesis revealed fatigue was caused by lack of sleep during the shift and consistent poor sleep quality which negatively impacted cognitive function, alertness, and physical and mental health while increasing safety-compromising behaviours and injuries. Both subjective and objective assessments of fatigue are necessary for effective risk management in EFRs. EFRs that are consistently fatigued are at a greater risk of poor physical and mental health, reduced cognitive function, and increased injuries. No studies reported on fatigue in emergency call centre personnel, highlighting a literature gap. Funding was provided by the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency. Preregistration was filed in OSF: osf.io/26f3s.

Sleep and Transportation Safety: Role of the Employer

Human fatigue is an important factor in transportation safety and a major causal factor of accidents. Employers play a vital role in minimizing fatigue-related risk, and are legally liable for damages arising from failure to address the risk. By taking an active role as stakeholders in transportation safety, employers not only reduce their risk of adverse safety events and limit their legal liability but may also benefit from improvements in productivity, morale, and health care expenditures. Employers should focus on reducing fatigue-related risk, with ongoing support from sleep safety research.

Povezava med neprespanostjo in delazmožnostjo zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi

Uvod: Spanje je aktivni proces, ki pomembno vpliva na kakovost delovnega življenja. V ta namen je bila izvedena raziskava o odnosu med neprespanostjo in delazmožnostjo zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi.Metode: V kvantitativni opisni raziskavi so bili v letih 2014 in 2015 obravnavani zaposleni iz ene splošne bolnišnice in dveh domov upokojencev v Sloveniji. Z enostavnim slučajnostnim izborom je bilo v stratificiran vzorec vključenih 21,26 % (n = 81) v zdravstveni negi zaposlenih žensk iz teh treh zavodov. Podatki, pridobljeni z anketo (Cronbach α = 0,624), so bili analizirani z deskriptivno statistiko in s korelacijsko analizo.Rezultati: Večina anketirank opravlja od tri do sedem nočnih izmen mesečno (x = 3,76, s = 2,51). Vse anketiranke imajo težave z nespečnostjo (n = 81, 100 %), večina jih s težavo ostaja budnih na delovnem mestu (n = 52, 64,2 %). Težave z budnostjo na delovnem mestu se povezujejo s slabšim splošnim počutjem (r = 0,236, p = 0,034) in so pogostejše ob večjem številu nočnih izmen v mesecu (r = −0,322, p = 0,003). Anketiranke so mnenja, da neprespanost povečuje verjetnost napak pri delu (n = 60, 74,1 %), upočasnjuje hitrost odzivanja na nepričakovane urgentne situacije na delovnem mestu (n = 58, 71,6 %) ter slabo vpliva na njihovo komunikacijo s pacienti (n = 48, 59,2 %).Diskusija in zaključek: Podobno kot druge tuje raziskave o zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi tudi ta potrjuje, da se neprespanost zaradi nočnega dela povezuje s slabšim počutjem, utrujenostjo in zmanjšano delazmožnostjo.

Sleep, Health and Wellness at Work: A Scoping Review

Many occupational factors may interfere with sleep. Sleep disturbances can, in turn, endanger the health and safety of workers. This rapid review of the literature identifies the main factors that alter the quantity and quality of sleep, indicates the effects these alterations have on the wellbeing of workers and suggests some health promotion measures.

Sleep Disturbance in Psoriatic Disease: Prevalence and Associated Factors

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the prevalence and quality of sleep in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and those with psoriasis without PsA (PsC) followed in the same center, to identify factors associated with sleep disturbance, and to compare findings to those of healthy controls (HC).

METHODS

The study included 113 PsA [ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria] and 62 PsC (PsA excluded by a rheumatologist) patients and 52 HC. Clinical variables were collected using a standard protocol. The sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Other patient-reported outcomes collected included the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Dermatology Life Quality Index, EQ-5D, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 survey, patient's global assessment, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-fatigue) scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and linear regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 84%, 69%, and 50% in PsA, PsC, and HC, respectively. Total PSQI score was higher in both patients with PsA and patients with PsC compared with HC (p < 0.01) and higher in patients with PsA compared to patients with PsC (p < 0.0001). EQ-5D anxiety component, EQ-5D final, and FACIT-fatigue were independently associated with worse PSQI in patients with PsC and those with PsA (p < 0.05). Actively inflamed (tender or swollen) joints are independently associated with worse PSQI in patients with PsA (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with psoriatic disease have poor sleep quality. Poor sleep is associated with fatigue, anxiety, and lower EQ-5D. In patients with PsA, poor sleep is associated with active joint inflammation.