Danger in traffic: patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Authors

  • Suleyman Erdogdu Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Health Sciences Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202891

Keywords:

Continuous positive airway pressure, Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Polysomnography, Sleep apnea

Abstract

Background: Author aimed to investigate the presence of a driver's license of patients with sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to prevent them from going into traffic until they are treated.

Methods: In this study 645 hospitalized patients in the sleep lab for one night in 2017-2018 for polysomnography (PSG) test were questioned. We compared Apne Hipopne Indexes (AHI) and Body Mass Indexes (BMI). Patients who have risk for traffic accidents were identified.

Results: Total 424 (66%) of 645 patients were above AHI> 15, moderate and severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) was diagnosed. 221 patients (34.3%) obtained a driver's license because they have mild OSAS (The AHI <15). 162 patients with AHI 15-30 (25.1%) had severe OSAS with medium OSAS and 262 patients (40.6%) had AHI> 30. Also, 410 patients with a driver's license in 645 patients had BMI> 25 kg/m2 in 373 (91%). 340 (83%) of 645 patients with a driver's license were male; 70 (17%) of them are women. All of those with a heavy vehicle license are men and the number is 110.

Conclusions: To prevent possible traffic accidents, driver patients with OSAS detected by a polysomnography test should be withdrawn from the driver's license until they receive treatment and receive an updated health report.

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Published

2020-06-26

How to Cite

Erdogdu, S. (2020). Danger in traffic: patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 8(7), 2537–2541. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202891

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Original Research Articles