• Fernanda V Narciso, Andrea M Esteves, Luciana Oliveira e Silva, Lia R A Bittencourt, Rogerio S Silva, Maria Laura N Pires, Sergio Tufik, and de MelloMarco TulioMT.
• Centro Multidisciplinar em Sonolência e Acidentes/Associação Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil.
• Med Princ Pract. 2013 Jan 1; 22 (6): 571575571-5.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyze the effect of individual circadian preferences of drivers with fixed night work schedules on sleep patterns.Subjects And MethodsA total of 123 professional drivers, 32 indifferent preference drivers and 91 morning preference drivers of an intermunicipality and interstate bus transportation company were evaluated. All drivers underwent polysomnographic recordings after their shifts. Furthermore, they filled out a questionnaire that contained sociodemographic and health questions. The Horne and Östberg questionnaire was used to assess the subjects' morningness-eveningness preference.ResultsThe mean age was 42.54 ± 6.98 years and 82 (66.66%) of the drivers had worked for ≥15 years. A significant effect on rapid eye movement (REM) was observed in the morning preference drivers. They showed an increased sleep latency and an REM sleep percentage of 5% of the total REM time. This reveals a significant effect on sleep architecture associated with work time.ConclusionThe drivers reported that morning preference had a significant effect on their sleep pattern indicating less REM sleep and longer REM sleep latency in the morning preference group. Thus, it is important to evaluate interactions between individual aspects of health and other parameters, such as sleep quality and work organizational factors, to promote night shift workers' health and well-being.© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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