Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate the clinical profiles of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Material and Method: Sixty two consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included in the study.

Results: The male/female ratio of patients with an apnea-hypopnea index of over 5 was 2.64. A family history of the syndrome was present in 43.5% of the patients. Of the 62 patients, 35% were diagnosed as having an overlap syndrome due to the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score in mild, moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients were 8.81±6.46, 10.38±5.14, 15.34±5.44, respectively (p=0.001). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, subclinical hypothyroidism and cerebrovascular accidents were detected in 35.5%, 11.3%, 16.1%, 5.9%, and 1.6% of the cases, respectively. No correlation was identified between groups with respect to smoking habits, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. We detected a significant difference in neck and waist circumferences and hematocrit values in those having severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (p<0.05). Although the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, smoking habit, gender distribution, neck circumference, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels did not differ significantly between those having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and overlap syndrome, body mass index, waist circumference and hematocrit values were significantly higher in overlap syndrome patients (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Study showed that many OSAS patients have comorbid diseases, and taking a family history of patients suspected as having OSAS is essential. Also, severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients have a higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and neck and waist circumference. (Tur Toraks Der 2008;9:113-6)