Undiagnosed (corrected) cases of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a new reason for involvement of otorhinolaryngologists

Esteller, E.; Huerta, P.; Segarra, F.; Matiñó, E.; Enrique, A.; Ademà, J.M.

Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola 59(2): 62-69

2008


ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6519
PMID: 18341862
Document Number: 618319
In Spain there are around 2 million people with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome who should be treated. However, less than 10 % have been diagnosed and treated. Untreated patients are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and neurological complications, higher accident rates, reduced quality of life and greater health-care consumption. It is necessary, therefore, to reduce these consequences through early diagnosis and treatment. To demonstrate the usefulness of a simple series of questions and examination as a mechanism to detect patients with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, in a consultation with a general otorhinolaryngologist. Five hundred two consecutive patients coming to an otorhinolaryngological consultation for reasons other than sleep pathology were submitted to a series of questions and an examination of upper aerodigestive tract, to search for indications of suspected sleep apnoea. For the different clinical and anatomical comparisons, a control group of 178 consecutive already-diagnosed patients was used. Of the 502 cases, 74 (14.7%) fulfilled the requirements for suspicion and 35 of them agreed to take a polysomnograph test (47.29%). Of this group, an apnoea/ hypopnoea index greater than 5 was found in 24 of the 35 cases (4.78%). The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in the group of patients studied is greater than that of the general population. With a simple interview and physical examination, a high rate of success can be obtained in the detection of undiagnosed sleep apnoea cases.

Document emailed within 1 workday
Secure & encrypted payments