New study using 'STOP-Bang' protocol finds half of truck drivers could need sleep apnea evaluation

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Updated Jan 14, 2021

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021: 

A 2020 study released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that nearly half of truck drivers are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This table compares drivers tested for OSA using commercial driver medical exam (CDME) data compared to the STOP-Bang (SB) sleep apnea screening assessment on the same pool of drivers.A 2020 study released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that nearly half of truck drivers are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This table compares drivers tested for OSA using commercial driver medical exam (CDME) data compared to the STOP-Bang (SB) sleep apnea screening assessment on the same pool of drivers.Virginia Tech Transportation InstituteResearchers find nearly 50% of truckers may have sleep apnea when using 'STOP-Bang' screening method
A 2020 study looking at the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in truck drivers found that nearly half of the 20,000 observed truck drivers potentially had apnea.

The study, conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, used the so-called "STOP-Bang" sleep apnea screening tool, which assesses a person’s snoring, tiredness, observed apneas, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), age, neck circumference and gender to determine their risk factor for sleep apnea.

Researchers analyzed data collected from a previous study of just over 20,000 truck drivers, along with medical data from these drivers’ medical exams. In the initial study, only 6.4% of the drivers were marked as potentially having OSA, while 86% were marked as having “No OSA.” The remaining drivers had already been diagnosed with OSA.

Applying the STOP-Bang assessment identified 8,503 drivers from that pool as “OSA Potential” who were formerly “No OSA” or identified as not having enough data to make an OSA determination. These drivers, combined with the 879 drivers already included in the “OSA Potential” group, totaled 9,382 drivers potentially having obstructive sleep apnea, or 46.9% of the total driver pool in the study. These drivers would then require a sleep study to determine an OSA diagnosis.

According to the study, 48.19% of surveyed drivers had no sleep apnea after applying the STOP-Bang assessment, while 3.6% had diagnosed and treated OSA.

VTTI researchers say the efficacy of the STOP-Bang assessment in screening truck drivers for OSA should be further evaluated.

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“Screening CMV drivers with the [STOP-Bang] and then conducting a polysomnography test for an OSA diagnosis would determine how well the SB is able to screen CMV drivers for OSA,” the study concludes. “However, it is clear that the SB provides a better screening evaluation for CMV drivers undergoing a [medical exam] than the current guidance given to medical examiners (i.e., no guidance on how to screen for OSA other than one question) in referring drivers for a polysomnography test.”

Under current regulations, there are no requirements for truck drivers to be tested for obstructive sleep apnea, apart from one question on medical exams as to whether a driver has any “sleep disorders, pauses in breathing while asleep, daytime sleepiness or loud snoring.” Researchers say, however, that this relies on drivers being open and honest when answering the question.

Overdrive research conducted in previous years estimated that between 25% and 38% of drivers would be screened to potentially have sleep apnea had a proposed screening method by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Medical Review Board gone into effect. That rulemaking, which was proposed in 2016 under the Obama administration, was withdrawn in 2017 under the Trump administration. Reporting from 2020 revealed some Medical Examiners having adopted screening measures nearly identical to those proposed in 2016, however, after a draft of potential changes to the official examiner handbook circulated online

FMCSA proposes new vision standard for truck drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to amend its regulations to allow drivers who cannot meet either the current distant visual acuity or field of vision standard, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial vehicle.

Currently, these drivers are prohibited from operating in interstate commerce without an exemption from FMCSA.

The agency is proposing an alternate vision standard for physical qualification that, if adopted, would replace the current vision exemption program as a basis for determining physical qualification for these drivers.

Under FMCSA’s proposal, drivers who qualify under the proposed alternative vision standard would be required to complete a carrier-administered road test before driving in interstate commerce. The agency says the proposal “would eliminate the need for the current federal vision exemption program, as well as the grandfather provision in 49 CFR 391.64 for drivers operating under the previously administered vision waiver study program. 

The proposed alternative vision standard is based on recommendations from FMCSA’s Medical Review Board and is similar to the regulatory framework for drivers with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, the agency notes. The proposal would provide that, to be physically qualified under the alternative vision standard, the driver must:

1.    Have in the better eye distant visual acuity of at least 20/40, with or without corrective lenses, and field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian

2.     Be able to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green and amber

3.     Have a stable vision deficiency

4.     Have had sufficient time to adapt to and compensate for the change in vision

FMCSA says there are currently 2,566 vision exemption holders who would no longer require an exemption if the proposed rule is made final.

“Accordingly, these drivers would be relieved of the time and paperwork burden associated with applying for or renewing an exemption,” FMCSA says.

The agency is requesting public feedback on the proposal, which can be made here through March 15.

Rolling Strong hosting trucker health competition
Truck driver health and wellness provider Rolling Strong is partnering with Trucker Path to host a Highway to Health trucker health and wellness competition, scheduled to run from Jan. 22 through Feb. 20. 

The virtual fitness competition is driven by the Rolling Strong platform’s gamification capabilities. Participants will accumulate points by logging nutrition, fitness, hydration, sleep and coaching sessions in the Rolling Strong mobile app, and they will compete against others for a chance to win cash and prizes. Participants can manually log their information or have smart devices automatically feed the information into the app.

“Taking part in the Highway to Health competition is a great way for drivers to improve their wellness,” said Stephen Kane, president of Rolling Strong. “We are pleased that Trucker Path opened this event to its million users so together we can help truck drivers lead healthier lifestyles.”

Registration for the competition, along with more information about the competition and prizes, is available online here. There is a $9.99 entry fee for the contest.

TA opens new truck stop in Oregon
TravelCenters of America announced the opening of a new travel center in Huntington, Oregon, along I-84 at Exit 353. 

The new location will boast 150 truck parking spaces; Champs Chicken, Naughty Chile Taqueria and a soon-to-open Huntington Bar and Grill restaurants; eight diesel fueling lanes; six showers; and more. A TA Truck Service center is planned to open next year.

TA Huntington is the company’s sixth location in Oregon and expands the total nationwide network of TA travel centers to 272.