The case-crossover study: a novel design in evaluating transient fatigue as a risk factor for road traffic accidents.

摘要

IN THIS ISSUE OF SLEEP, VALENT AND COLLEAGUES1 PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS FROM A CASE-CROSSOVER STUDY OF TRANSIENT MEASURES OF FATIGUE that included acute sleep, wakefulness, and long working hours as triggers of road traffic accidents (RTAs) among patients presenting an injury to a hospital emergency room (ER). Although there was no statistically significant association between work hours and RTAs, and observed significant risk decreased for sleep duration in only the highest exposure group (>11 hours), this study provides valuable data to illustrate several strengths and limitations of the application of this unique and potentially useful design to the study the acute effects of fatigue.