CASE REPORT
Can alveolar hypoventilation due to kyphoscoliosis be a contraindication to driving?
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1
Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
(Faculty of Medicine, II Chair of Internal Medicine, Department of Pulmonology)
2
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Work Physiology and Ergonomics)
Online publication date: 2019-10-04
Corresponding author
Aleksander Kania
Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, II Chair of Internal Medicine, Department of Pulmonology,
Skawińska 8, 31-066 Kraków, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(5):735-45
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ABSTRACT
Road accidents are among the main fatalities worldwide and drowsy driving is a significant cause of road deaths where drivers are at fault. There are
well known diseases which impair sensory and cognitive functions and can cause sleepiness during driving. Such diseases can be an important contraindication
to driving because they may have an adverse effect on its safety. Thus, medical examinations for drivers should also be directed at identifying
any possible conditions posing risks for driving safety. Occupational medicine specialists should look for symptoms of locomotor and sleep-related
breathing disorders as these are medical conditions which could preclude a person from driving. In this case report, the authors describe a professional
driver with chest deformity and present a pioneering attempt at assessing his medical fitness to drive. It is also explained why scoliosis can impair driving
ability and how it should be diagnosed and treated. Finally, the authors describe how they used driving simulator tests as part of their diagnosis
and suggest a relevant treatment regimen. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(5):735–45