The Saskatchewan Rural Health Study is a large five year study looking at factors affecting lung health in the rural areas of our province. A total of 39 rural municipalities and 16 towns are participating. The results of a questionnaire about day time sleepiness were published in the August 2014 edition of the Canadian Respiratory Journal.
Using the Epworth Sleepiness scale, the researchers found high levels of excessive daytime sleepiness in rural people. It was most common among men over 55 years of age. This is a concern since excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to heart disease and also an increased risk of injury and accidents.