Abstract
Introduction-
Untreated OSAS patients are at increased risk of traffic accidents. We have previously shown that controls perform better on the MiniSim than patients (failure rate-12% v/s 24%, p-0.03, OR-2.2). Task failure in patients can be identified based on standard deviation of lane position at epoch-3 (SDLP-3) and veer reaction time (Veer- RT). These parameters were further explored in controls.
Methods-
178 (52+/-11 yrs, ESS 13+/-7, ODI 32+/-24) untreated OSAS patients and 96 controls (50+/-15 yrs, ESS 3+/- 2) performed a 90km motorway driving simulation. Outcome pass, indeterminate or fail, based on preset criteria, was compared between patients and controls.
Results-
SDLP-3 and Veer-RT were worse in the fail group. A hierarchical pattern of worsening parameters was noted both in controls and patients. On multiple comparison there was a significant difference in SDLP-3 and Veer-RT in the pass and fail group, both in controls and in untreated OSAS patients.
Conclusion-
SDLP-3 and Veer-RT during simulated driving on an advanced simulator are objective markers of poor driving both in controls and in untreated OSAS patients.
- © 2013 ERS