Sleep disorders among French anaesthesiologists and intensivists working in public hospitals: a self-reported electronic survey

• Published in: European journal of anaesthesiology Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 132
• Main Authors: Richter, Elisa, Blasco, Valery, Antonini, François, Rey, Marc, Reydellet, Laurent, Harti, Karim, Nafati, Cyril, Albanèse, Jacques, Leone, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Anesthesiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - epidemiology; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - etiology; Female; France - epidemiology; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Sleep Wake Disorders - epidemiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology; France
• ISSN: 1365-2346
• DOI: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000000110

Sleep disorders can affect the health of physicians and patient outcomes. To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among French anaesthesiologists and intensivists working in a public hospital. A cross-sectional survey. Anaesthesiologists and intensivists working in French public hospitals. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess the degree of excessive daytime sleepiness. Among 1504 responders, 677 (45%) physicians reported sleep disorders. The independent factors associated with sleep disorders were reporting of sleep disorders [odds ratio (OR) 12.04, 95% CI (95% confidence interval) 8.89 to 16.46], sleep time less than 7 h (OR 8.86, 95% CI 6.50 to 12.20), work stress (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.83), stress at home (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.53), anxiolytic use (OR 3.69, 95% CI 2.23 to 6.25), psychotropic drug use (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.51 to 11.52) and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.45). Six hundred and seventy-six (44%) responders reported excessive daytime sleepiness during their professional activity. The independent factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness were female sex (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.34), tea consumption (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.91), regular practice of nap (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.09), stress at home (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.68), more than four extended work shifts monthly (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.56) and sleep disorders (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.29). Reporting sleep disorder duration and a sleep time less than 7 h were the two major risk factors for sleep disorders. Female sex was the major risk factor for excessive daytime sleepiness. French anaesthesiologists did not report more sleep disorders than the general population, but their alertness is impaired by a factor of two.