Risk Factors for Traffic Accidents in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

This article reports on a survey of traffic accidents incurred by 440 people with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study also determined the independent risk factors for accidents in these patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome both before and after the initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The authors note that, before continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, 43.4% of the patients had had traffic accidents. The independent risk factors for accidents were higher body mass index, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent driving and long-distance driving. Accidents occurred most frequently under circumstances of driving at a low speed, as in a traffic jam. The accident rate after CPAP therapy was reduced to 5.7%, and significant risk factors in this group were higher age, presence of residual excessive daytime sleepiness, and higher body mass index. The authors conclude that a system for detecting unrecognized OSAS should be instituted, with a view to treatment, in order to reduce the prevalence of traffic accidents. In addition, patients must be monitored for residual sleepiness after treatment with CPAP, and must be advised to lose weight.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14469235
• Authors:
  • Yoshino, Akiko
  • Higuchi, Maki
  • Kawana, Fusae
  • Kato, Mitsue
  • Kamata, Minae
  • Nakanishi, Shigemoto
  • Kasai, Takatoshi
  • Narui, Koji
• Publication Date: 2006-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 144-152
• Serial:
  • Sleep and Biological Rhythms
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
  • ISSN: 1446-9235
  • EISSN: 1479-8425

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashes; Daytime crashes; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Medical treatment; Obesity; Respiratory system; Risk assessment; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Weight loss
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054692
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 2007 7:23AM