[Characteristics of the sleep apnea syndrome in the aged]
Ying-quan Luo1, Yu Yang, Xiao-jian Huang
1Department of Geriatrics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Objective:
To study the characteristics of the sleep apnea syndrome in the aged.
Methods:
Forty-two males who were suspicious of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) were detected with 7-hour polysomnography (PSG).
Results:
The body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference showed no significant difference in the aged and middle aged groups. The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and microarousal index (MAI) were significantly lower, and the minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2) significantly higher in the aged than those in the middle aged (P < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated to AHI (r = -0.329, P < 0.05). The BMI and neck circumference were positively correlated to AHI (r = 0.326, P < 0.05; r = 0.306, P < 0.05, respectively).
Conclusion:
SAS patients are less severe in the aged excluding the affection of the BMI and neck circumference.
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