Sleep specialists' opinion on sleep disorders and fitness to drive a car: The necessity of continued education

Abstract

Whether patients with sleep disorders are fit to drive, and who should determine this, is a matter of debate. However, scientific literature is available on these topics to aid clinicians making these decisions. A survey was conducted to assess sleep specialists' views on fitness to drive for patients suffering from apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. Most of the 112 respondents (66%, 95%CI: 57-74%) indicated that insomnia patients would be fit to drive within days or weeks after initiating treatment, but 44% (95%CI: 35-53%) felt that, depending on the amount of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), they should not drive if untreated. Around half of respondents (49%, 95%CI: 40-58%) indicated that untreated patients with apnea should not drive, but the majority (66%, 95%CI: 57-74%) felt they could drive after Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatment was established, though EDS was a significant factor. For untreated narcoleptic patients 77% (95%CI: 68-84%) indicated they should not drive, and similarly, that treated patients could drive, although EDS levels were again seen as important. It is concluded that patient education remains the most practical approach to improve compliance and reduce accidents associated with EDS. Sleep specialists should remain up-to-date of relevant scientific literature to achieve this goal.