Resumo

TORRE-BOUSCOULET, Luis; CASTORENA-MALDONADO, Armando  e  MEZA-VARGAS, María Sonia. Other consequences of sleep disorders: Regarding vehicular accidents. Rev. Inst. Nal. Enf. Resp. Mex. [online]. 2005, vol.18, n.2, pp.162-169. ISSN 0187-7585.

Vehicular accidents are a frequent cause of morbility and mortality in Mexico and worldwide with incalculable associated direct and indirect costs. There is an urgent need to implement useful tools for their prevention. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a risk factor for accidents and a common symptom shared by several sleep disorders, particularly relevant to those involving the respiratory pattern. The aim of this manuscript is to review EDS prevalence and its main causes; the association between EDS and vehicle accidents is described and the way to objectively meassure EDS. We propose some strategies to recognize it to contribute with preventive programs.

Palavras-chave : Somnolence; accidents; sleep; apnea; prevalence.