Firefighters’ Sleep Trouble: Early Findings from Portugal’s New Study

Portugal’s firefighters, who often work odd hours and stay awake for long stretches, are showing worrying signs of sleep problems. A national research project collected data from more than 1, 800 active firemen and women to see how common sleepiness and breathing pauses during sleep are in this group. The study began by asking participants to fill out an online survey that covered age, gender, weight, health history, and daily habits. They also answered two short questionnaires that flag sleepiness and possible breathing problems. More than a third of respondents said they feel very sleepy during the day, and about one in five showed signs of high risk for a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Nearly two thirds were overweight or obese, and almost one in five had heart problems while about a quarter had mental health issues.When firefighters were asked how many hours of sleep they get during shifts, the answer was stark: almost 60 % slept less than four hours on duty. In contrast, most of them got more sleep when they were off the job. The project also tested a practical way to confirm breathing problems at home using simple sleep monitors. Of the 603 people who were flagged as high risk, 370 completed a home test. In total, 228 were diagnosed with sleep apnea and 77 started using devices that keep the airway open while they sleep. These initial numbers suggest a serious burden of sleep disorders among Portuguese firefighters, driven by the demands of their work. The research team plans to follow these individuals over time to see how treatment affects health and job performance.