WHAT ARE CLINICAL SIGNS OF SEVERE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA WHICH MAKE PATIENTS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome – objectively measured respiratory disorders during sleep (at least five events per hour), which lead to clinical signs (mostly sleepiness) during the day and determine changes in health and working capacity. Purpose of the study: to identify and evaluate the clinical characteristics of the patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea that made them seek medical help. During the study clinical and anamnestic data of all patients with severe sleep apnea syndrome and recommended treatment with continuous positive airway pressure apparatus, who were examined in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sleep Laboratory of Immunology and Pulmonology clinic during 2004-2006 were analysed. Data of 85 patients was analyzed. 72 of them were men (age 53.2 ± 11.6 years) and 13 – women (58.6 ± 9.4 years). It was found that men with severe obstructive sleep apnea and same body mass index (BMI) were sleepier (according to Epworth Sleepiness Scale) than women- 12.43 ± 5.9 points, (females (8.0 ± 4.7 points)). Main complaints that made patients seek medical help were: snoring (74.4 percent), daytime sleepiness (22percent) and shortness of breath (15.9 percent). Women were seeking medical help on average after 7.0 ± 4.2 years and men - 12.8 ± 11.04 (p < 0.05) from the beginning of the complaint. 12.2 percent of patients said that they during sleep their breathing always stops, and 4.9 percent were unaware of breathing pauses during sleep. 9.8 percent of patients thought that their breathing rarely stops during sleep, 31.7 percent - occasionally, 41.5 percent - often. Conclusions. Men seeked medical help for breathing problems during sleep later than women, although men were sleepier at the same BMI. Snoring was the most common clinical sign because of which patients with a severe obstructive sleep apnea came to see a doctor.