Sleep problems in Japanese industrial workers

Abstract

In order to investigate the prevalence of a disordered condition due to shift work (DCSW) and the influence of sleep disorders on the performance of working and driving, a preliminary questionnaire was conducted on industrial workers. Among 332 shift workers, 110 (33.1%) were found to suffer from DCSW. Subjects with DCSW were found to be working shorter periods in shift work than were subjects without DCSW. The rate of sleepiness-related troubles while driving and working were highest in the subjects with probable hypersomnia. This finding encourages the need for early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders among industrial workers.