Sleep Architecture and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders of Seafarers on Board Merchant Ships: A Polysomnographic Pilot Field Study on the High Seas

Fiona Kerkamm, Dorothee Dengler, Matthias Eichler, Danuta Materzok-Köppen, Lukas Belz, Felix Alexander Neumann, Birgit-Christiane Zyriax, Volker Harth and Marcus Oldenburg ()
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Fiona Kerkamm: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Dorothee Dengler: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Matthias Eichler: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Danuta Materzok-Köppen: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Lukas Belz: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Felix Alexander Neumann: Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Birgit-Christiane Zyriax: Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Volker Harth: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Marcus Oldenburg: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: As seafarers are assumed to have an increased risk profile for sleep-related breathing disorders, this cross-sectional observational study measured (a) the feasibility and quality of polysomnography (PSG) on board merchant ships, (b) sleep macro- and microarchitecture, (c) sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and (d) subjective and objective sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and pupillometry. Measurements were carried out on two container ships and a bulk carrier. A total of 19 out of 73 male seafarers participated. The PSG’s signal qualities and impedances were comparable to those in a sleep laboratory without unusual artifacts. Compared to the normal population, seafarers had a lower total sleep time, a shift of deep sleep phases in favor of light sleep phases as well as an increased arousal index. Additionally, 73.7% of the seafarers were diagnosed with at least mild OSA (AHI ≥ 5) and 15.8% with severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30). In general, seafarers slept in the supine position with a remarkable frequency of breathing cessations. A total of 61.1% of the seafarers had increased subjective daytime sleepiness (ESS > 5). Pupillometry results for objective sleepiness revealed a mean relative pupillary unrest index (rPUI) of 1.2 (SD 0.7) in both occupational groups. In addition, significantly poorer objective sleep quality was found among the watchkeepers. A need for action with regard to poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of seafarers on board is indicated. A slightly increased prevalence of OSA among seafarers is likely.

Keywords: ESS; occupational medicine; OSA; obstructive sleep apnea; polysomnography; pupillometry; seafaring; sleep; sleepiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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