Traffic Accidents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients and Effect of Nasal CPAP Treatment

• Published in: Nihon Kyōbu Shikkan Gakkai zasshi Vol. 31; no. 9; pp. 1103 - 1108
• Main Authors: Minemura, Hiroshi, Akashiba, Tsuneto, Yamamoto, Hitoshi, Suzuki, Ryouichi, Itoh, Daisuke, Kurashina, Keizi, Yoshizawa, Takayuki, Horie, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japanese Respiratory Society 01.09.1993
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adult; Circadian Rhythm; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal CPAP; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Sleep apnea syndrome; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - psychology; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - therapy; Sleep Stages; Stanford Sleepiness Scale; Surveys and Questionnaires; Traffic accident rate; Work Capacity Evaluation
• ISSN: 0301-1542; 1883-471X
• DOI: 10.11389/jjrs1963.31.1103

We studied the traffic accident rates and daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patient, and evaluated the effectiveness of long-term nasal CPAP treatment. Traffic accidents were observed in 42% of 14 male OSAS patients (46±7 years old) and near-miss accidents were also observed in 64% during the past three years. Stanford Sleepiness Scale showed 4.7±1.0, suggesting marked excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). During NCPAP treatment for 11±9 months, no traffic and near-miss accidents were reported. After NCPAP treatment, SSS decreased to 2.0±0.8, and the score of Uchida-Kraepelin test for the evaluation of working ability increased significantly. These results suggest the improvement of EDS and working ability following NCPAP treatment. We conclude that OSAS patients have the tendency of daytime sleepiness and high traffic accidents rates, and NCPAP treatment is effective to improve such problems.