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Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease.

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy has been identified as an early manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Three patients with HIV disease were identified with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. In order to examine the relationship between HIV-induced adenotonsillar hypertrophy and OSA, 134 patients with asymptomatic HIV disease were screened with a self-administered sleep survey designed to detect OSA and excessive daytime somnolence. Patients meeting trigger score criteria were studied with overnight polysomnography and nine additional patients were identified with OSA. The only consistent risk factor for OSA in this young and primarily nonobese population was the presence of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, found in 11 of 12 patients with OSA. Three patients had tonsillar biopsy or tonsillectomy and all displayed benign follicular lymphoid hyperplasia. Scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were significantly higher for patients with OSA, indicating a greater degree of hypersomnolence (mean ESS scores: OSA+ = 11.4 +/- 3.6, OSA- = 7.8 +/- 4.6, p = 0.012). In our population, patients with HIV disease had a prevalence of OSA of 7%. HIV-induced adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a risk factor for the development of OSA. HIV patients with complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness and snoring who are found to have adenotonsillar hypertrophy on exam should undergo a sleep evaluation to rule out the presence of OSA.

Adult↗

Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome are not related in sleep disorders center patients.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) frequently manifests in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and that there may be a causal relationship. AIM: To determine the relationship between OSAS and symptoms of GERD. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred to the Sleep Disorders Center (SDC) 18 years and older with polysomnographically defined OSAS were evaluated prospectively for GERD using a validated symptoms questionnaire. The GERD and OSAS relationship was assessed by 1) determining frequency of GERD in patients with and without OSAS; 2) ascertaining the relationship between OSAS severity categories and presence of GERD; 3) examining GERD score in relation to those factors that might affect both GERD and OSAS, e.g. obesity. RESULTS: One thousand and twenty-three SDC patients met entry criteria. Amongst participants, GERD was common (29% of women and 17% of males) and OSAS extremely common (58% of women and 80% of males). GERD score did not correlate with OSAS variables. The severity of OSAS did not influence the prevalence of GERD. CONCLUSION: In a large group of patients referred to a sleep disorders center, there was no relationship between OSAS and GERD symptoms. Also, there was no relationship between the severity of OSAS and the likelihood of GERD symptoms.

Adult↗

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in morbidly obese patients.

Twenty-seven morbidly obese patients (13 men and 14 women) with body mass index greater than or equal to 40 kg m-2 were examined. The mean age of the subjects was 36.9 +/- 8.2 years (range 23-51 years), and the mean BMI was 50.2 +/- 6.2 kg m-2 (range 40.0-62.9 kg m-2). A whole-night sleep recording was made for all patients with signs or symptoms indicative of possible obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). If the first nocturnal sleep recording was abnormal, it was controlled after 1 year. Eleven (10 men and one woman) of the 27 patients had an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of 10 h-1. They were symptomatic with excessive daytime sleepiness or other daytime symptoms of OSAS. The occurrence of OSAS in men and women was 76.9 and 7.1%, respectively. Arterial hypertension was associated with OSAS, but not with smoking or the degree of obesity. Antihypertensive treatment was received by nine of the 27 patients; six of them had OSAS. Thus six of the 11 (54.5%) patients with OSAS and three of the 16 (18.8%) nonapnoeic patients were treated for arterial hypertension (Fisher exact test, P = 0.042). The odds ratio of OSAS for arterial hypertension is 5.2 (95% CI, 0.71-43.6). Vertical-banded gastroplasty was performed in 14 patients, three of whom had OSAS. The selection of patients for gastroplasty was made without taking into account the results of sleep recordings. In the three OSAS patients, a 30-38% reduction in BMI was achieved by surgery. Eight patients with OSAS were treated with an intensified dietary regimen, and the reduction in BMI ranged from -2.6 to 33%. OSAS was either cured or significantly improved in six (55%) patients, with a mean reduction in BMI of 27%, while in patients with persistent OSAS the mean reduction in BMI was only 7%.

Adult↗

Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk marker in coronary artery disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a range of cardiovascular sequelae and increased cardiovascular mortality. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of OSA in patients with symptomatic angina and angiographically verified coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, we analyzed the association of OSA and other coronary risk factors with CAD and myocardial infarction. METHODS: Overnight non-laboratory-monitoring-system recordings for detection of OSA was performed in 223 male patients with angiographically verified CAD and in 66 male patients with exclusion of CAD. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess associations between risk factors and CAD and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: CAD patients were found to have OSA in 30.5%, whereas OSA was found in control subjects in 19.7%. The mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in CAD patients (9.9 +/- 11.8) than in control subjects (6.7 +/- 7.3). Body-mass-index (BMI) was significantly higher in patients with CAD and OSA than in patients with CAD without OSA (28. 1 vs. 26.7 kg/m(2); p < 0.001). No significant difference was found with regard to other risk factors and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between both groups. Hyperlipidemia (OR 2.3; CI 1. 3-3.9; p < 0.005) and OSA defined as AHI >/=20 (OR 2.0; CI 1.0-3.8, p < 0.05) were independently associated with myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of OSA among patients with angiographically proven CAD. OSA of moderate severity (AHI >/=20) is independently associated with myocardial infarction. Thus, in the care of patients with CAD, particular vigilance for OSA is important.

Adult↗

There is no relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a population study.

BACKGROUND: Both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are common diseases. Some recent studies suggest an increased prevalence of COPD among subjects with OSAS. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to evaluate whether there is an epidemiological relationship between COPD and OSAS in a random population sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population, 356 males (53%) and 320 females, mean age 56.6+/-8.2 years (range 41-72), was selected from a voting list for parliamentary election in Warsaw. The investigation included lung diseases and smoking history with polysomnography and spirometry. RESULTS: OSAS was diagnosed in 76 subjects (11.3%), 59 males (8.8%) and 17 females (2.5%), mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was 25.3+/-16.1, mean overnight SaO2 92.1+/-3.3%, minimum SaO2 76.9+/-9.4%, and SaO2<90%=18.9+/-23.9% of total sleep time. COPD was diagnosed in 72 subjects (10.7%), 39 males and 33 females. Severity of airflow limitation was assessed according to European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines: mild in 70%, moderate in 22%, and severe in 8%. In 7 subjects (9.2% of OSAS population, 1% of total population) OSAS and COPD overlapped. Polysomnographic variables were compared between overlap (overlap syndrome, OS) and OSAS subjects. In the OS mean AHI was 19.0 versus 25.3 in OSAS (nonsignificant), mean SaO2 89.6 versus 92.3% in OSAS (p<0.005), and time spent in SaO2<90% was 25.4 versus 18.2% in OSAS (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: COPD in subjects with OSAS was as frequent as in the general population. In the OS group mean arterial blood saturation was lower and time spent in desaturation was longer than in OSAS. The presented data suggest a more severe course of sleep-disordered breathing in subjects with coexisting COPD.

Adult↗

Follow-up on metabolic markers in children treated for obstructive sleep apnea.

RATIONALE: In adults, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with metabolic dysfunction that improves with treatment of OSA. No equivalent studies exist in children. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between metabolic markers and OSA with time and treatment in children. METHODS: Metabolic markers measured on a fasting morning blood sample at diagnostic polysomnography and follow-up 1.3 +/- 0.6 yr later. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty-five children (34 males), aged 6.9 +/- 3.5 yr, and including 12 obese subjects, were in the final analysis. There were no differences in metabolic markers between children with and without OSA at initial study; however, obese children had significantly higher insulin (106.1 +/- 72.1 vs. 66.7 +/- 37.6 pmol/L; p = 0.028), insulin/glucose ratio (23.7 +/- 14.3 vs. 14.7 +/- 8.0; p = 0.02), and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.4 nmol/L; p = 0.005) than nonobese children. Twenty children underwent surgical removal of adenotonsillar tissue, whereas 12 children with OSA elected not to have treatment. OSA persisted after treatment in five children, and resolved in 27. Thirteen children did not have OSA on initial or follow-up studies. At follow-up, there was a small but significant improvement in total cholesterol in those children whose OSA was resolved (4.8 +/- 0.8 to 4.7 +/- 0.6 nmol/L; p = 0.005) and a trend for obese children with persisting OSA to have elevated insulin levels compared with obese children without OSA (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Obesity appears to be the major influence on metabolic dysfunction in children with OSA, but these preliminary data also suggest that resolution or persistence of OSA may affect changes in metabolic function over time.

Blood Glucose↗

Metabolic syndrome in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) referred to a tertiary university-based medical center. A cross-sectional study of patients with a definite diagnosis of OSAS was performed using new diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome that were designed for the Japanese population. Clinical features and comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome were compared between 819 patients with OSAS (719 men and 100 women) and 89 control subjects without OSAS. Metabolic syndrome was significantly more common in the patients with OSAS than in the controls (49.5% vs. 22.0% for men, p < 0.01; 32.0% vs. 6.7% for women, p < 0.01). Men with OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > or =5/h) had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome compared with controls (odds ratio [OR]: 3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84-6.53). There was a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome in men with moderate OSAS (AHI: 15-29.9/h) (OR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.42-5.66) and men with severe OSAS (AHI > or =30/h) (OR: 5.09; 95% CI: 2.67-9.71). Women with OSAS (AHI> or =5/h) also had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (OR: 6.59; 95% CI: 1.47-29.38), and the risk was significantly higher in women with severe OSAS (AHI > or =30/h) (OR 14.00; 95% CI: 2.93-66.82). Risk factors for metabolic syndrome differed by gender: in men, age, body mass index (BMI), and OSAS (AHI > or =15/h) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, whereas, in women, BMI was the only risk factor for metabolic syndrome. The increase of metabolic syndrome in Japanese OSAS patients suggests that this patient population is burdened with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗

Determinants affecting health-care utilization in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate determinants of health-care utilization in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). DESIGN: Case-control prospective study with OSAS patients and a control group. We compared 218 patients with OSAS to those of age-, gender-, geographically-, and family physician-matched control subjects from the general population, matched 1:1 (chi2 = 0.999). PARTICIPANTS: All participants were members of Clalit Health Care Services, a health maintenance organization in the southern region of Israel. All OSAS patients underwent nocturnal polysomnography studies. Indexes of health-care utilization 2 years prior to the polysomnography were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Health-care utilization was 1.7-fold higher (p < 0.001) in the OSAS patients due to more hospitalization days (p < 0.001), consultations (p < 0.001), and cost for drugs (p < 0.05), particularly those for the cardiovascular system. In comparison to men, women consumed significantly more health-care resources (p < 0.001). OSAS patients < or = 65 of age years consumed 2.2-fold more health-care resources than control subjects (p < 0.001). Polysomnography findings and OSAS severity and body mass index (BMI) did not predict health-care utilization, using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Age > 65 (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; p < 0.04) and female gender (OR, 2.0; p < 0.05) were the leading elements predicting the most costly OSAS patients. Arbitrarily dividing the OSAS group by cost of health-care utilization, the upper 25% (n = 55) of patients who were the "most costly" consumed sevenfold more health-care resources than the lower 75% of the patients. This was due to higher comorbidity, ie, 10 to 30% more hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS: OSAS patients are heavy users of health-care resources. Age > 65 years and female gender were the leading elements predicting the most costly OSAS patients, and not necessarily patients with a high BMI and classic OSAS severity indexes.

Adult↗

Creatine phosphokinase elevation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: an unknown association?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels. DESIGN: Single-center prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic sleep disorder center. PATIENTS: Two hundred one consecutive patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 54.9 +/- 11.0 years; 155 men and 46 women; mean body mass index, 31.3 +/- 6.9 kg/m(2)) with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: OSAS was confirmed in182 patients (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], > 5 events per hour) and was ruled out in 19 patients (control subjects) by standard polysomnography. Sixty-six OSAS patients and 1 control patient showed an unexplained CK elevation. The mean baseline CK level was significantly higher in patients with severe OSAS (AHI, > 30 event per hour; n = 89) compared to those with mild-to-moderate OSAS (AHI, 5 to 30 events per hour; n = 93) and control subjects (191.4 +/- 12.9 vs 134.3 +/- 7.5 vs 107.1 +/- 7.9 U/L, respectively; p < 0.01). Receiver operating curve analysis identified an optimal cutoff value of > 148 U/L (r = 0.660) for CK, which yielded a positive predictive value of 99%, a sensitivity of 43%, and a specificity of 95% for the diagnosis of OSAS. The mean nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation was the main predictor of CK level (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment resulted in a significant decline of CK levels both in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS (n = 38; 129.7 +/- 13.4 vs 96.7 +/- 7.6 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001) and in patients with severe OSAS (n = 39; 187.7 +/- 18.9 vs 132.2 +/- 12.9 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One third of our study population showed a mild-to-moderate elevation in CK level, which was highly predictive of OSAS. The application of CPAP therapy in OSAS patients resulted in a significant decrease in CK level. We speculate that OSAS may account for a substantial number of cases of unexplained CK elevation (ie, hyperCKemia). Further studies should address the prevalence of OSAS in patients with mild-to-moderate hyperCKemia.

Biomarkers↗

Autonomic cardiac modulation in obstructive sleep apnea: effect of an oral jaw-positioning appliance.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are characterized by deranged cardiovascular variability, a well-established marker of cardiovascular risk. While long-term treatment with continuous positive airway pressure leads to a significant improvement of cardiovascular variability, little is known of the possibility of achieving the same results with other therapeutic approaches. The aim of our study was to investigate the responses of autonomic indexes of neural cardiac control to another type of OSA treatment based on an oral jaw-positioning appliance. METHODS: In 10 otherwise healthy subjects with OSA (OSA+) and in 10 subjects without OSA (OSA-) we measured heart rate, BP, and indices of autonomic cardiac regulation derived from time-domain and spectral analysis of R-R interval (RRI), before and after 3 months of treatment with the oral device. High-frequency (HF) power of RRI was taken as an index of parasympathetic cardiac modulation, and the ratio between low-frequency (LF) and HF RRI powers as an indirect marker of the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac modulation. RESULTS: At baseline, in comparison with OSA- subjects, OSA+ subjects displayed a significantly lower RRI variance (p < 0.02) and reduced HF RRI powers (p < 0.001). After 3 months of treatment with the oral device, the OSA+ group showed a marked reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (p < 0.001), a lengthening in RRI and a significant increase in its variance (p < 0,02), an increased HF RRI power (from 134 +/- 26 to 502 +/- 48 ms2, p < 0.001), and a reduction in LF/HF RRI power ratio (from 3.11 +/- 0.8 to 1.5 +/- 0.5). As a result of these changes, after the 3-month treatment there were no more significant differences between the two groups in these parameters. In both OSA+ and OSA- groups, body weight, heart rate, and BP did not change over time. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of treatment with a specific oral jaw-positioning appliance improves cardiac autonomic modulation in otherwise healthy patients with OSA of mild degree.

Adult↗

Sleep and daytime behavior in children with obstructive sleep apnea and behavioral sleep disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was: 1) to examine both bedtime sleep behaviors and daytime behaviors associated with daytime sleepiness in a group of children with a primary medical sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSAS]) compared with a group of children with a primary behavioral sleep disorder (BSD) (limit setting sleep disorder or sleep onset association disorder); and 2) to investigate the impact of a comorbid BSD on sleep and daytime behavioral consequences of OSAS. METHODS: Children referred to a pediatric sleep disorders clinic during a 3-year period with a primary diagnosis of either polysomnographically-confirmed OSAS (n = 100) or a BSD (n = 52) were compared on several parent report measures assessing the following domains: symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, other sleep behaviors (primarily parasomnias), bedtime behaviors, and externalizing daytime behavior problems. The OSAS sample was then divided into a pure OSAS group (n = 78) and an OSAS plus a behavioral sleep diagnosis group (n = 22) based on the presence or absence of delayed sleep onset and/or prolonged nightwakings and compared on the parent-report symptom domains. RESULTS: Almost one-quarter of the OSAS group had clinically significant behavioral sleep problems, primarily bedtime resistance, in addition to OSAS. Bedtime resistance was associated with a significantly shortened sleep duration in both the BSD and OSAS-BSD groups. Although the OSAS-BSD group had less severe disease, as defined by polysomnographic variables, than the pure OSAS group, they were rated by their parents as having more daytime externalizing behavior problems associated with daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that evaluation for comorbid BSD should be done in all children presenting with symptoms of OSAS. The coexistence of such BSDs may contribute significantly to sleep deprivation, and thus to behavioral manifestations of daytime sleepiness in these children.

Child↗

Nocturnal pulse oximetry as an abbreviated testing modality for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of pulse oximetry for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 349 patients referred to a pediatric sleep laboratory for possible OSA. A mixed/obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (MOAHI) greater than or equal to 1 on nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) defined OSA. A sleep laboratory physician read nocturnal oximetry trend and event graphs, blinded to clinical and polysomnographic results. Likelihood ratios were used to determine the change in probability of having OSA before and after oximetry results were known. RESULTS: Of 349 patients, 210 (60%) had OSA as defined polysomnographically. Oximetry trend graphs were classified as positive for OSA in 93 and negative or inconclusive in 256 patients. Of the 93 oximetry results read as positive, PSG confirmed OSA in 90 patients. A positive oximetry trend graph had a likelihood ratio of 19.4, increasing the probability of having OSA from 60% to 97%. The median MOAHI of children with a positive oximetry result was 16.4 (7.5, 30.2). The 3 false-positive oximetry results were all in the subgroup of 92 children who had diagnoses other than adenotonsillar hypertrophy that might have affected breathing during sleep. A negative or inconclusive oximetry result had a likelihood ratio of.58, decreasing the probability of having OSA from 60% to 47%. Interobserver reliability for oximetry readings was very good to excellent (kappa =.80). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of a child suspected of having OSA, a positive nocturnal oximetry trend graph has at least a 97% positive predictive value. Oximetry could: 1) be the definitive diagnostic test for straightforward OSA attributable to adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children older than 12 months of age, or 2) quickly and inexpensively identify children with a history suggesting sleep-disordered breathing who would require PSG to elucidate the type and severity. A negative oximetry result cannot be used to rule out OSA.

Adenoids↗

Inspiratory flow-volume curve in snoring patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea.

We analyzed the flow-volume curves of 50 patients with complaints of snoring and daytime sleepiness in treatment at the Pneumology Unit of the University Hospital of Brasília. The total group was divided into snorers without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (N = 19) and snorers with OSA (N = 31); the patients with OSA were subdivided into two groups according to the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI): AHI < 20/h (N = 14) and AHI > 20/h (N = 17). The control group (N = 10) consisted of nonsmoking subjects without complaints of snoring, daytime sleepiness or pulmonary diseases. The population studied (control and patients) consisted of males of similar age, height and body mass index (BMI); spirometric data were also similar in the four groups. There was no significative difference in the ratio of forced expiratory and inspiratory flows (FEF50%/FIF50%) in any group: control. 0.89; snorers, 1.11; snorers with OSA (AHI < 20/h), 1.42, and snorers with OSA (AHI > 20/h), 1.64. The FIF at 50% of vital capacity (FIF50%) of snoring patients with or without OSA was lower than the FIF50% of the control group (P < 0.05): snorers 4.30 l/s; snorers with OSA (AHI < 20/h) 3.69 l/s; snorers with OSA (AHI > 20/h) 3.17 l/s and control group 5.48 l/s. The FIF50% of patients with severe OSA (AHI > 20/h) was lower than the FIF50% of snorers without OSA (P < 0.05): 3.17 l/s and 4.30 l/s, respectively. We conclude that 1) the FEF50%/FIF50% ratio is not useful for predicting OSA, and 2) FIF50% is decreased in snoring patients with and without OSA, suggesting that these patients have increased upper airway resistance (UAR).

Humans↗

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: a state-of-the-art review.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are a frequent problem not only in adults, but also in children and adolescents, as can be seen from current epidemiological data. The epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in adults have been adequately established on the basis of evidential data. As a result of this, both physicians and the public are increasingly aware of OSAS in adults. Although there are numerous parallels between pediatric and adult OSAS, the situation in children differs that in adults. There is a greater variety of symptoms in children with OSAS, diagnosis is often more difficult with serious consequences for growth and development of children. Treatment of OSAS in children is also different from that of the adult patient. There are many possible causes for the development of obstructive sleep apnea in children. These include hypertrophy of the tonsils and syndromes such as Down syndrome, Pickwickian syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome or Marfan syndrome. OSAS can, however, also be the result of obesity, midfacial dysplasia, retro- or micrognathia, allergic rhinitis or muscular dystrophy. Epidemiological data presented in the literature concerning the incidence of OSAS in children is extremely varied. This wide range is probably due to the fact that snoring may be misdiagnosed as OSAS. The diagnosis of OSAS in children may only be made by considering clinical history (such as rate of growth, tendency to fall asleep during the day, sleep disturbances, susceptibility to infection, etc.), polysomnography (if possible during several nights) and accompanying instrumental diagnosis including cephalometry or laryngoscopy. One of the problems of polysomnography in childhood is that performance and interpretation of the results have not yet been standardized or evaluated for different age groups. Treatment depends on the cause of OSAS and require multidisciplinary management involving the pediatrician, pediatric or adolescent psychiatrist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, maxillofacial surgeons, and neurosurgeons. Adenotonsillectomy (ATE) is the therapy generally chosen if the child has adenoidal vegetations and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Corrective surgery is possible for rare malformation syndromes. Nocturnal masks for continuous positive airway nasal pressure or procedures for mask respiration are effective in children, but are only used in exceptional cases, such as when ATE is contraindicated or when symptoms of OSAS remain after surgery. The success of pharmacological treatment of OSAS in children has not been evaluated in controlled clinical trials.

Adenoids↗

High prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx scheduled for primary surgical resection. To correlate the presence of OSA and the occurrence of postoperative morbidities in this patient population. METHODS: This was a prospective study involving 17 patients with malignancies of the oral cavity and oropharynx scheduled for primary surgical resection. Consecutive patients were approached to undergo overnight polysomnography to determine the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). OSA was defined by an AHI value > or = 20 events per hour. Postoperative morbidities were evaluated in a blinded fashion for the patients completing surgery. RESULTS: OSA was present in 13 of 17 patients, yielding a striking prevalence of 76% in this patient group. The mean AHI for patients with OSA was 44.7 +/- 3.5 (standard error) events per hour, with a mean nadir oxygen saturation of 88.2 +/- 1.8%, consistent with moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing. The OSA and non-OSA patients were similar with respect to age and body mass index. The mean size of the primary tumour was 3.3 cm in patients with an AHI < 20 and 3.5 cm in those with an AHI > or = 20 (p = not significant). Overall, postoperative complications, defined as prolonged intensive care unit stay (> 24 hours), need for mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary morbidities, were observed in 67% of OSA and 25% of non-OSA patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings point to a strong association between OSA and malignancies of the oral cavity and oropharynx. This relationship was independent of the size of the primary malignancy in this patient population with tumours ranging from 1 to 7 cm (p = not significant). When comparing the two groups (AHI < 20 and AHI > or = 20), there was a tendency for the group with OSA to have an increase in postoperative morbidities. Further research is warranted to further evaluate the postoperative morbidities and mortalities associated with OSA in this patient population and to determine the potential roles for preoperative treatment with continuous positive airway pressure and tracheotomy.

Adult↗

[Effect of sleep apnea syndrome on the vascular endothelium].

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. As it is strongly associated with known cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, OSA is an independent risk factor for hypertension. Although the association between OSA and the metabolic syndrome tends to confound studies of the independent effects of OSA on vascular disease, recent evidences from basic science to epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that OSA may add worsening pathophysiological conditions to obesity. OSA contributes to the imbalance between vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, in particular through oxidative stress-dependent catabolism of nitric oxide, increased sympathetic nerve activity, enhanced renin-angiotensin system activity and endothelin synthesis. Additionally, several recent studies suggest that OSA may be a circumstance favouring central and vascular resistance to leptin. The beneficial effects of this hormone in normal subjects, are lost during endothelial dysfunction and OSA. Moreover, high leptin concentrations, within a range observed during OSA, display adverse effects on endothelial function and vascular physiology. Through of a yet unknown mechanism, OSA per se accounts for part of the elevated serum leptin concentration reported in patients. The current standard treatment for OSA-nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-eliminates apnoea and the ensuing acute hemodynamic changes during sleep. Accordingly, vasopressor mediators and leptin concentration are shifted toward normal values by CPAP. Thus, in addition to this effective therapy, evaluation of specific strategies targeting leptin sensitivity and vasopressor mediators may open novel perspectives for treatment of OSA and its associated end-organ damages.

Adolescent↗

Survey of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Hong Kong of China.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea affects up to 2.9% of children. This study was to determine demographic and clinical characteristics of a group of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as defined by sleep polysomnography (PSG). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a public-funded general hospital in Hong Kong of China. Children confirmed to have OSAS by PSG were followed up between January 1997 and December 1998. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) was offered to those with moderate to severe OSAS, and medication was offered to those with mild OSAS. All children were followed up regularly in the sleep clinic and sleep PSG was repeated for those with marked relapse in symptoms. RESULTS: Eighty-nine children (64 boys and 25 girls, mean age 7 years) were confirmed to have OSAS out of 352 children who underwent PSG during the study period. The most common symptoms of OSAS were snoring (100%) and sweating (81%) during sleep and nasal blockage (61%) and sleepiness (34%) during daytime. Severe OSAS occurred in 15 children. Moderate OSAS occurred in 33 children. Forty-one children had mild OSAS. Forty-nine children underwent T&A, 5 (boys, < 5 years) out of whom were found to have recurrent OSAS within 1 year. CONCLUSION: A male predominance has been found in a group of Hong Kong children with OSAS. Boys undergoing T&A at an early age (< 5 years) will be more likely to develop repeated OSAS.

Adenoidectomy↗

Evaluation of the upper airway cross-sectional area changes in different degrees of severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: cephalometric and dynamic CT study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The upper airway lumen is narrower in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) than normal subjects. In this study, we examined changes of the upper airway cross-sectional area in each phase of respiration in different degrees of severity of OSAS with dynamic CT and investigated whether these changes have any correlation with sleep apnea severity parameters, including polysomnography (PSG) and cephalometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and November 2004, 47 patients who had at least 2 of 3 major symptoms of snoring, daytime somnolence, and apnea with witness were included in this prospective study. As control group, 24 habitual snorers were studied. All patients underwent PSG and upper airway CT. The average number of episodes of apnea and hypopnea per hour of sleep (the apnea-hypopnea index, AHI) was calculated. An AHI of 5 -29 represented mild/moderate OSAS and an AHI > or = 30 represented severe OSAS. Cross-sectional area of the airway at the level of oropharynx and hypopharynx were obtained in each phase of quiet tidal breathing and at the end of both the forced inspiration and expiration. Six standard cephalometric measurements were made on the lateral scout view. All parameters were compared between controls and mild/moderate and severe OSAS groups. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients had mild/moderate OSAS, and 20 patients had severe OSAS. Patients with severe OSAS had significantly narrower cross-sectional area at the level of uvula in expiration, more inferiorly positioned hyoid bone, and thicker soft palate compared with patients with mild/moderate OSAS (P < .05) and the control group (P < .05). In addition, severe OSAS patients had bigger neck circumference than those in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with severe OSAS had significant differences in the parameters. Measurement of the cross-sectional area of oropharynx in expiration can especially be useful for diagnosis of severe OSAS as a new key point.

Adult↗