Effects of surgery for obstructive sleep apnea on cognitive function and driving performance

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Neurology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to increased motor vehicle accident (MVA) risk and cognitive deficits.
• Cognitive impairments in OSA include attention and memory problems.
• The study investigates the impact of upper airway surgery on driving and cognitive function in OSA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of surgical intervention for OSA on patient driving performance.
• To assess the impact of upper airway surgery on cognitive functions in individuals with OSA.

Main Methods:

• Prospective recruitment of adult OSA patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary medical center (2016-2019).
• Pre- and post-operative assessments included self-report questionnaires, a neurocognitive battery, and a driving simulation platform.
• Evaluations were conducted 3-6 months after surgery.

Main Results:

• 32 patients (average age 46.9 years) were included. Pre-surgery, 9 patients had MVAs and 18 faced traffic violations.
• Significant improvements observed post-surgery: reduced Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores (13.7 to 8.1) and faster completion times for the Color Trail Test.
• Enhanced divided and selective attention response times noted on the Useful Field of Vision Scale. Driving simulation showed decreased speeding and lane-crossing tendencies.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea leads to significant improvements in driving performance.
• Upper airway surgery positively impacts cognitive functions, including attention and reaction times.
• The findings suggest that OSA surgery can enhance safety by improving driving capabilities and cognitive function.