Sleep Apnea, Sleepiness, and Driving Risk in Noncommercial Drivers

Publication Date: June 3, 2013

Management

All patients being initially evaluated for suspected or confirmed OSA should be asked about daytime sleepiness, especially falling asleep unintentionally and inappropriately during daily activities, as well as recent unintended motor vehicle crashes or near-misses attributable to sleepiness, fatigue, or inattention. Patients with these characteristics are deemed high-risk drivers and should be immediately warned about the potential risk of driving until effective therapy is instituted. (C, VL)
620

Additional information that should be elicited during an initial visit for suspected or confirmed OSA includes the clinical severity of the OSA and therapies that the patient has received, including behavioral interventions. Adherence and response to therapy should be assessed at subsequent visits. The drowsy driving risk should be reassessed at subsequent visits if it was initially increased. (, )
620

For patients in whom there is a high clinical suspicion of OSA and who have been deemed high-risk drivers:

The ATS suggests that polysomnography be performed and, if indicated, treatment initiated as soon as possible, rather than delayed until convenient. (, VL)

The ATS recognizes that the duration that constitutes “as soon as possible” will vary according to the resources available, but ATS favors the goal of less than 1 month. For appropriately selected patients (e.g., no comorbidities, high clinical suspicion for OSA), at-home portable monitoring is a reasonable alternative to polysomnography.

weak recommendation

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The ATS suggests NOT using empiric continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the sole purpose of reducing driving risk. (, VL)
weak recommendation
620

For patients with confirmed OSA who have been deemed high-risk drivers, the ATS recommends CPAP therapy to reduce driving risk, rather than no treatment (S, M)
This suggestion is for CPAP because only its effects on driving performance have been well studied. Other treatments that could accomplish the same goal have not been evaluated.
620

For patients with suspected or confirmed OSA who have been deemed high-risk drivers, the ATS suggests NOT using stimulant medications for the sole purpose of reducing driving risk (, VL)

weak recommendation

620

Recommendation Grading

Disclaimer

Overview

Title

Sleep Apnea, Sleepiness, and Driving Risk in Noncommercial Drivers

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

June 3, 2013

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening, Prevention, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D012890 - Sleep, D000077260 - Sleepiness

Keywords

sleepiness, driving risk, sleep apnea

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement