Clinical and polygraphic features of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adult patients

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) include age, obesity, and craniofacial abnormalities. Significant morbidity is often associated. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Comorbidities were recorded. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, 893 patients with obstructive sleep apnea were evaluated at our Department. All the patients underwent a complete physical examination and fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy with Müller test. Diagnosis was achieved by home respiratory polygraphy. Features were analyzed to found significant correlations. RESULTS: Males/females ratio was 70/30 and mean age was 59.0±12.7 years. Systemic hypertension was observed in 48.2% of patients and gastroesophageal reflux disease in 6.8%. Mean Body Mass Index was 30.0±6.0 kg/m2. Müller maneuver demonstrated a high prevalence of grade III-IV oropharyngeal/retropalatal collapse (60.8%). Polygraphy showed a mean Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) value of 37.1±23.0 with a high prevalence of patients with AHI>30 (53.5%). AHI did not correlate with age. A statistically significant linear correlation was found between AHI and BMI (regression coefficient 1.33). CONCLUSIONS: A complete clinical and polygraphic evaluation of patients with OSAS is mandatory in clinical daily practice to achieve the best therapeutic algorithm. The linear association between BMI and AHI confirms that weight loss remains an important tool in the treatment of OSAS.