Vienna – Commercial motor vehicle drivers with sleep apnea may be understating their sleepiness levels, according to data presented Sept. 1 at the European Respiratory Society’s Annual Congress.

Researchers compared 37 CMV drivers who had sleep apnea with 74 non-driver patients who experienced similar numbers of disturbances during the night, a European Lung Foundation press release stated. On average, the CMV drivers’ self-reported sleepiness rating was three points lower on a 24-point scale, and they received less treatment and sought more unscheduled medical care than the other group.

Researchers said the findings suggest CMV drivers underscore their sleepiness levels out of fear of losing their license permissions. They recommend legislators and advocacy groups stress that seeking treatment for sleep apnea is beneficial to the transportation industry.