Strategy for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea of the Aviation Workers

항공업무 종사자의 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증후군 평가 및 치료 전략

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) can lead to severe complications if left untreated, and therefore should be adequately diagnosed and treated, especially in airline workers. The aviation medical examiner (AME) should induce the patient to cooperate for the diagnosis and treatment of OSAS, by notifying the subject that it does not cause disqualification of the air service and that it is a disease that can be sufficiently controlled and treated by various treatment options. AME should also warn about medical complications and the possibility of serious air accident risks when untreated, and encourage the subject to receive appropriate diagnosis and steady treatment such as continuous positive airway pressure and/or surgical treatment.