Patients Treated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Fitness to Drive Assessment in Clinical Practice in Spain at the Medical Traffic Centers

Abstract

Objective. To assess fitness to drive among drivers with treated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Methods. A total of 5234 drivers who attended two Spanish Medical Driver Test Centers for assessment of their fitness to drive prior to renewing or issuing their driving license were included in the study. Information regarding sociodemographic aspects, patterns of driving, medical condition, medication use, and patterns of alcohol consumption was recorded.

Results. Eleven out of 5234 drivers (0.2%) suffered from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, all of them being treated with continuous positive airway pressure, and they were found fit to drive with restrictions.

Conclusions. A lower than expected prevalence of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was found among drivers undergoing fitness to drive assessment. Suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome does not prevent driving as long as the patient is undergoing adequately controlled treatment.

Keywords:

• Accidents
• Traffic
• Automobile Driver Examination
• Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the European Union, IMMORTAL “Impaired Motorist, Methods of Roadside Testing and Assessment for Licensing” (http://www.immortal.or.at) and from Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa, Red de Trastornos Adictivos, RD06/0001/0020.

Notes

∗ SDU = Standard drink unit (= 10 g of pure alcohol).

^†According to the Spanish categorization of medicinal drugs and driving (category 1: no or negligible influence; Del Rio et al., 2002).

^‡The following psychomotor performance tests are carried out by all drivers according to legal regulations (psycho-technical set LND-100, ASDE, Valencia): speed of anticipation and bimanual coordination, as well as multiple reaction times for professional drivers.