ABSTRACT
To assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in myasthenia gravis, the authors identified patients at risk of OSA using the multivariable apnea prediction index. OSA was diagnosed with polysomnography. The prevalence of OSA was 36% compared to an expected prevalence of 15 to 20% in the general population. When including the presence of daytime sleepiness (OSA syndrome), the prevalence was 11% compared to 3% in the general population.
Subject(s)
Myasthenia Gravis/epidemiology , Sleep Apnea Syndromes/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Mass Index , Confidence Intervals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Demography , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myasthenia Gravis/physiopathology , Polysomnography/methods , Prevalence , Severity of Illness Index , Sleep Apnea Syndromes/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Driving is a complex task involving distinct cognitive, perceptual, motor, and decision making skills. After placing the vehicle on the road, the driver must constantly survey the ever changing roadway environment to keep the vehicle in the lane and moving at an appropriate safe speed. This surveillance involves two distinct visual tasks: estimating and responding to the oncoming curvature and controlling lane position. Driving is therefore a divided attention task involving speed and lane control as well as monitoring. To do this in a safe manner requires careful attention and alertness which can be problematic for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) or other sleep disorders.
