Commercial Driver Medical Examinations: Prevalence of Obesity, Comorbidities, and Certification Outcomes. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thiese, Matthew S.; Moffitt, Gary; Hanowski, Richard J.; Kales, Stefanos N.; Porter, Richard J.; Hegmann, Kurt T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 6(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The objective of this study was to assess relationships between body mass index (BMI) and comorbid conditions within a large sample of truck drivers. Methods: Commercial driver medical examination data from 88, 246 commercial drivers between 2005 and 2012 were analyzed for associations between BMI, medical disorders, and driver certification. Results: Most drivers were obese (53.3%, BMI >30.0 kg/m 2 ) and morbidly obese (26.6%, BMI >35.0 kg/m 2 ), higher than prior reports. Obese drivers were less likely to be certified for 2 years and more likely to report heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, nervous disorders, sleep disorders, and chronic low back pain (all P < 0.0001). There are relationships between multiple potentially disqualifying conditions and increasing obesity (P < 0.0001). Morbid obesity prevalence increased 8.9% and prevalence of three or more multiple conditions increased fourfold between 2005 and 2012. Conclusions: Obesity is related to multiple medical factors as well as increasing numbers of conditions that limit driving certification. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.