@article {Simon1476, author = {Rosalind Simon and Naricha Chirakalwasan and Busarakum Teerapraipruk and Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul and Nattapong Jaimchariyatam and Tayard Desudchit and Natamon Charakorn and Chaisiri Wanlapakorn}, title = {Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With and Without Cardiovascular-Related Diseases}, volume = {57}, number = {9}, pages = {1476--1482}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.4187/respcare.01660}, publisher = {Respiratory Care}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Previous studies have often investigated the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but the possibility of reverse causation has not been clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: To examine if the presence of any of the cardiovascular-related diseases, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease, correlates with more severe OSA. METHODS: This was a retrospective study where all patients age >= 18 years referred to our sleep laboratory for suspected OSA were included. The data from the full-night baseline and split-night polysomnographic reports were reviewed. Data were then evaluated by logistic regression analysis to compare between 2 groups, the severity of OSA (respiratory disturbance index [RDI] \< 15 vs RDI >= 15, and RDI \< 5 vs RDI >= 5), other polysomnographic variables and daytime sleepiness score (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] score \< 10 and >= 10). RESULTS: 190 patients were analyzed. The patients with any of the cardiovascular-related diseases were noted to have more severe sleep apnea (RDI >= 15), with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.24. Sleep efficiency >= 90\% and mean oxygen saturation >= 95\% were observed less commonly in the patients with any of the cardiovascular-related diseases (adjusted odds ratios of 0.45 and 0.36, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in ESS score. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with any of the cardiovascular-related diseases are at a higher risk of having moderate to severe OSA without significant increase in daytime sleepiness. Therefore, we suggest that patients with any of the cardiovascular-related diseases should be screened for OSA, even if they are asymptomatic.}, issn = {0020-1324}, URL = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/9/1476}, eprint = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/9/1476.full.pdf}, journal = {Respiratory Care} }