CLINICAL AND POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS FROM AN OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGIC RESEARCH SERVICE

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disorder characterized by collapse of the upper airway during sleep. OSA is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which includes hypertension, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and stroke, and has important social implications with reduction in quality of life. Our objective is to describe the demographic, clinical and polysomnographic variables of patients from an otorhinolaryngologic service. Methods: This is a descriptive clinical study conducted with patients from an otorhinolaryngologic research service. Patients were evaluated regarding to anthropometric measurements, full overnight polysomnography, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Berlin Questionnaire. Results: Ninety subjects were consecutively evaluated, consisting of 46 men and 44 women, with a mean age of 45.3±15.6 years and a mean BMI of 29.4±5.1kg/m2. Among the main complaints, snoring was the most reported (89%) followed by apnea (40%). Regarding to sleep disorders, the median the score in ESS was 13 (0-25) and 55 (61,1%) subjects were considered high risk to develop OSA by the Berlin Questionnaire. Twenty-two (24.4%) subjects were considered normal (AHI<5), 22 (24.4%) had mild OSA, 20 (22.2%) had moderate OSA and 26 (28%) were considered severe OSA. The mean AHI was 26.3±27.4, the mean arousal index was 18.8±14.2 and the mean oxyhemoglobin saturation was 93.9±4.7%. Conclusion: This population is characterized as young adults and overweight. There was an important prevalence of OSA, being half of them moderate to severe OSA, which could lead to cardiovascular disorders, diurnal excessive sleepiness and consequently reduction in quality of life.