| Abstract: |
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators compared to the general population due to increased prevalence of risk factors associated with OSA. CMV operators with OSA experience higher risk of vehicular crashes, health morbidities, and economic losses. No regulation exists which specifies the criteria for screening of CMV operators for OSA. Implementation of standardized screening programs can help identify and treat at-risk individuals. Recommendations for screening and diagnosis in CMV operators have been outlined by several groups, including the Sleep and Transportation Safety Awareness Task Force (STSATF) that was established by American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has offered guidance on the issue. Guidelines for monitoring individuals on therapy are also available. Adherence to recommendations like these, regarding the identification and treatment of CMV operators based, should be encouraged for all stakeholders, including examiners, clinicians, employers, and operators, with the goal of reducing the risk of motor vehicle crashes and associated adverse health effects and economic losses. © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
