ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the prevalence of, and the risk factors for, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) among Brazilian railroad workers. METHODS: Male railroad workers (745) from a railway company in Brazil were analyzed after responding to questionnaires about their demographics, sleep habits, excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth), and the likelihood of having apnea (Berlin). We also performed polysomnography and measured anthropometric data for all of the railroad workers. RESULTS: The results showed that 261 (35.03%) of the railroad workers presented with OSAS. These railroad workers were older (OSAS: 38.53±10.08 versus non-OSAS: 33.99±8.92 years), more obese according to body mass index (27.70±4.38 versus 26.22±3.92 kg/m(2)), and employed for a longer period of time (14.32±9.13 years) compared with those without OSAS (10.96±7.66 years). Among those with OSAS, 9.5% were smokers and 54.7% reported alcohol use. The associated risk factors were age (OR=2.51, 95% CI=1.76-3.57), BMI (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.04-2.34), alcohol use (OR=1.28, 95% CI=0.90-1.81), and a high chance of having sleep apnea, as assessed by the Berlin questionnaire (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.49-3.21). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of OSAS in Brazilian railroad workers was higher than that observed in the general population but similar to that found in the population of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. These results suggest that age, BMI, a high risk of developing apnea through subjective self-reporting (Berlin), and alcohol use are associated with a higher risk of developing OSAS. These data reinforce the need to be more attentive to this population because they have a higher propensity for accidents.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/statistics & numerical data , Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/epidemiology , Railroads , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/epidemiology , Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Adult , Age Distribution , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Body Mass Index , Brazil/epidemiology , Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/epidemiology , Polysomnography , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/diagnosis , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism gene contributes to the genesis of hypertension (HTN) and may help explain the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and HTN. However, ACE is a pleiotropic gene that has several influences, including skeletal muscle and control of ventilation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that ACE polymorphism influences OSA severity. METHODS: Male OSA patients (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]>5 events/h) from 2 university sleep centers were evaluated by polysomnography and ACE I/D polymorphism genotyping. RESULTS: We studied 266 males with OSA (age=48+/-13 y, body mass index=29+/-5 kg/m(2), AHI=34+/-25 events/h). HTN was present in 114 patients (43%) who were older (p<0.01), heavier (p<0.05) and had more severe OSA (p<0.01). The I allele was associated with HTN in patients with mild to moderate OSA (p<0.01), but not in those with severe OSA. ACE I/D polymorphism was not associated with apnea severity among normotensive patients. In contrast, the only variables independently associated with OSA severity among patients with hypertension in multivariate analysis were BMI (OR=1.12) and II genotype (OR=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate reciprocal interactions between OSA and HTN with ACE I/D polymorphism, suggesting that among hypertensive OSA males, the homozygous ACE I allele protects from severe OSA.
Subject(s)
Alleles , Hypertension/genetics , INDEL Mutation , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/genetics , Adult , Aged , Body Mass Index , Gene Frequency/genetics , Genotype , Homozygote , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Phenotype , Polysomnography , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosisABSTRACT
Although the popularization of the combined use of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks (ED) containing caffeine, taurine and other substances has increased, there are no controlled experimental studies on the effects of ED alone or combined with ethanol. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of ED combined or not with ethanol, on the locomotor activity of Swiss mice. The administration of 3.57, 10.71 or 17.86 ml/kg of ED alone increased the locomotor activity of the animals in relation to a control group. Low doses of ethanol (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) alone or in combination with 10.71 ml/kg of ED did not affect their locomotor activity. However, the reduction of activity observed after 2.5 g/kg of ethanol was antagonized by 10.71 ml/kg of ED. Further studies on the mechanisms of this interaction are still needed.
