Ten-Year Cardiovascular Risk Estimation through the Framingham Risk Score among Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers with High and Low Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Abstract Objective Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are both major medical causes of road accidents among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The present study aimed to determine the association of the ten-year risk of developing CVD and other cardiac risk factors with the risk of developing OSA among apparently healthy CMV drivers. Materials and Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 male CMV drivers. Demographic characteristics were collected, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2, Age > 50 Years, Neck Circumference > 40 cm, and Male Gender (STOP-Bang) questionnaire, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were filled out, and the ten-year CVD risk was calculated through the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for each individual. Laboratory tests also were performed. The participants were divided into two groups based on the STOP-Bang score and FRS, and other CVD risk factors were compared, accordingly. The Chi-squared test, the Student t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Results The mean age of the drivers was of 45.57 (range: 30 to 70) years. In the univariate analysis, the mean age, years of driving experience, FRS, vascular age, blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, ESS score, BMI, and circumference of the waist and hip presented a significant association with STOP-Bang score ≥ 3 (p < 0.05). The metabolic equivalents of task (METs) for total physical activity and walking (min/week), time spent sitting (h/day), lipid profiles, smoking history, vehicle type, and shift type were statistically similar in both groups. In the multivariate analysis, a high risk of OSA was independently associated with higher FRS (odds ratio: 1.92; p < 0.001). Conclusion The STOP-Bang score presented a direct correlation with the estimated ten-year CVD risk in CMV drivers. The high risk of developing OSA among CMV drivers is accompanied by higher CVD risk factors such as old age, diabetes, hypertension, BMI, and waist and hip circumference. The FRS was statistically higher in CMV drivers with high OSA risk.