_{Effects of alcohol and sleep restriction on simulated driving performance in untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea}

Background: Because of previous sleep disturbance and sleep hypoxia, patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) might be more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and sleep restriction than healthy persons.

Objective: To compare the effects of sleep restriction and alcohol on driving simulator performance in patients with OSA and age-matched control participants.

Design: Driving simulator assessments in 2 groups under 3 different conditions presented in random order.

Setting: Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Sleep Laboratory, Adelaide, Australia.

Participants: 38 untreated patients with OSA and 20 control participants.

Measurements: Steering deviation, crashes, and braking reaction time.

Intervention: Unrestricted sleep, sleep restricted to a maximum of 4 hours, and ingestion of an amount of 40% vodka calculated to achieve a blood alcohol level of 0.05 g/dL.