Gender Differences in Prevalence of Sleepy Driving Among Young Drivers in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Sleepy driving is associated with Motor Vehicles Accidents (MVAs). In Saudi Arabia, previous studies have addressed this association among men only. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of sleepy driving and associated factors between genders. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, we offered a self-administered online questionnaire to 3272 participants from different regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included 46 questions covering sociodemographics, driving habits, sleeping habits, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Berlin questionnaire to assess the risk of sleep apnea. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the significant factors associated with self-reported sleepy driving, defined as operating a motor vehicle while feeling sleepy in the preceding six months. Results: Of the 3272 invitees, 2958 (90%) completed the questionnaire, of which 1414 (48%) were women. The prevalence of sleepy driving in the preceding six months was 42% (men: 50% and women 32%, p<0.001). Specifically, participants reported the following: 12% had had to stop their vehicle due to sleepiness (men: 16.2% and women 7%, p<0.001), 12.4% reported near-miss accidents (men: 16.2% and women: 8.2%, p<0.001) and 4.2% reported an accident due to sleepiness (men: 4.3% and women: 4%, p=0.645). In multivariable analysis, being male, younger age, use of any type of medications, shift working, working more than 12 hours per day, driving duration of 3-5 hours per day, driving experience of more than 2 years, excessive daytime sleepiness and risk of having obstructive sleep apnea were all associated with increased likelihood of falling asleep while driving in the preceding 6 months. Conclusion: Sleepy driving and MVA are prevalent in both gender but was higher in men. Future public health initiatives should particularly focus on men, since men reported a greater likelihood of both sleep-related MVA and "near miss" events.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Post-COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Patients with COVID-19 often report persistent respiratory symptoms. Limited data exist on how to mitigate long-term sequelae of exercise intolerance and dyspnea. We aimed to study the role of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with post-COVID-19. METHODS: This was an observational study. Consecutive patients with post-COVID-19, admitted to three separate outpatient PR programs, were enrolled. The program consisted of 8-12 wk of PR sessions (3 times/wk). Data were gathered at the initial visit and discharge. The primary outcome was the change in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance. Secondary outcomes included the Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ), modified Borg dyspnea scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ). RESULTS: A total of 56 patients completed the PR program (age 62.8 ± 14.7 yr, 57% were men). At baseline, the mean 6MWT was 313.3 ± 193.8 m. On average, the 6MWT improved by 84.3 m after PR ( P < .0001). Apart from the modified Borg dyspnea scale, there was improvement across secondary outcomes: SOBQ (-16.9 points), PHQ-9 (-2.6 points), and LINQ (-4.2 points); all P < .05. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary rehabilitation showed a promising positive effect on patients with with post-COVID-19. It improved exercise capacity, perception of dyspnea, depressive symptoms, and patient knowledge needed to manage their lung disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation should be considered for post-COVID-19 patients.

Early recognition of pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hematological disorder with multiple-organ involvement. The pulmonary complications of SCD are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This article presents an important review of acute and chronic pulmonary complications, including acute chest syndrome, pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary fat embolism, chronic sickle cell lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension, in patients with SCD. Bronchial asthma and obstructive sleep apnea in relation to SCD are discussed in this article. Early recognition of pulmonary complications leads to early therapeutic interventions and improvement of the overall treatment outcome.

Effect of nocturnal hypoxemia on glycemic control among diabetic Saudi patients presenting with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disease that is associated with an increased incidence of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) if left untreated. We aimed to determine the association between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and both nocturnal hypoxemia and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) among a Saudi patients with OSA. Methods: A cross-sectional study that enrolled 103 adult patients diagnosed with DM and confirmed to have OSA by full night attended polysomnography between 2018 and 2021. Those who presented with acute illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/restrictive lung diseases causing sleep-related hypoxemia, or no available HbA1c level within 6 months before polysomnography were excluded from the study. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses between HbA1c levels and parameters of interest were tested. Results: Sixty-seven (65%) of the studied population had uncontrolled DM (HbA1c ≥7%). In univariate regression analysis, there was a significant positive association between HbA1c, and sleep time spent with an oxygen saturation below 90% (T90), female gender, and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05) but not AHI, or associated comorbidities (p>0.05). In the multivariate analysis, HbA1c was positively associated with increasing T90 (p<0.05), and ODI (p<0.05), but not with AHI (p>0.05). Conclusion: Nocturnal hypoxemia could be an important factor affecting glycemic control in patients with OSA suffering from DM irrespective of the severity of both diseases.

Blood Eosinophils and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD.

Background: Blood eosinophils predict the response to therapy, risk of exacerbation, and readmission in COPD. This study investigates whether blood eosinophils predict pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) outcomes in COPD. Methods: We categorized patients into eosinophilic (blood eosinophils ≥300 cells/ml) or noneosinophilic (<300 cells/ml). In a retrospective design, we compared changes within and between the two groups on BODE index, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), FEV1, and mMRC dyspnea scale. Results: Of 206 patients enrolled, 176 were included for analysis; 90 were eosinophilic. BODE index improved in both groups: (MD -1.25; 95% CI (-0.45, -4.25), P ≤ 0.001) in the eosinophilic and (MD -1.33; 95% CI (-1.72, -0.94), P ≤ 0.001) in the noneosinophilic, but a higher BODE index remained in the eosinophilic (4.98); adjusted mean change (ß): 0.7 (95% CI (0.15, 1.26), P=0.01). 6MWT improved by 29.3 m in the eosinophilic (95% CI (14.2, 44.4), P ≤ 0.001) vs. 115.1 m in the noneosinophilic (95% CI (-30.4, 260.6), P=0.12). FEV1 did not change in the eosinophilic (MD -0.6; 95% CI (-2.64, 1.48), P=0.58), but improved by 2.5% in the noneosinophilic (MD 2.5; 95% CI (0.77, 4.17), P=0.005). There were no significant between-group differences in 6MWT and FEV1; adjusted mean changes (ß) were -9.69 m (95% CI (-39.51, 20.14), P=0.52) and -2.31% (95% CI (-5.69, 1.08), P=0.18), respectively. There were no significant within- or between-group changes in the mMRC scale. Conclusion: Although PR improves the BODE index in both eosinophilic and noneosinophilic COPD, a higher eosinophil count (≥300 cells/ml) is associated with a higher (worse) BODE index. Blood eosinophils may predict PR outcomes.