Publication:

Danger in traffic: patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

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To prevent possible traffic accidents, driver patients with OSAS detected by a polysomnography test should be withdrawn from the driver's license until they receive treatment and receive an updated health report.