Poor weight control, alcoholic beverage consumption and sudden sleep onset at the wheel among Italian truck drivers: A preliminary pilot study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity, alcoholic beverage consumption, unhealthy alcohol use and sudden sleep onset at the wheel among Italian truck drivers. In addition to prevalence rates, this study also aimed at investigating potential predictors for sudden-onset sleepiness and obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of truck drivers was extracted from the database of the High Risk Professional Driver Study. Data concerning demographics, anthropometry, medical information and working conditions were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of the reported body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption and sudden sleep onset with working conditions and general lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-five questionnaires were collected. According to their BMI, 45% of the participants were overweight and 21.4% of them were obese. Twenty-four point two percent declared they drank alcoholic beverages during working hours or work breaks and 21.3% of the drivers had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT C) score ≥ 5 (the threshold value for unhealthy alcohol use). Forty-one point six percent of the interviewees experienced one episode of sudden sleep onset at the wheel per month (5.5% per week and 0.9% daily). Predictive factors for obesity were: length of service (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, confidence interval (95% CI): 1.04-1.15, p < 0.001) and the AUDIT C total score (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08-1.66, p = 0.008). Predictive factors for sudden-onset sleepiness at the wheel were: age > 55 years old (OR = 5.22, 95% CI: 1.29-21.1, p = 0.020), driving more than 50 000 km per year (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.37-6.11, p = 0.006) and the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ) score > 11 (adjusted OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.22-7.21, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly emphasizes the need for intervention in order to reduce and prevent important risk factors for the sake of road safety and truck drivers' health.