[Analysis of the anthropometric, epidemiological, and clinical parameters in patients with snoring and obstructive...

The existence of snoring, apnoeas and diurnal somnolence constitutes obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a disease of high prevalence that can cause serious complications. We have made a descriptive study of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with suspected OSA, with the main target of knowing the value of some of these characteristics in the evaluation of these patients.

We have had access to a retrospective sample of 433 patients (361 men and 72 women) with an average age of 47 (11.1) years (range, 18-75), referred due to suspected OSA. The variables and examinations studied were: age, gender, electrocardiogram, spirometry, blood pressure, smoking, neck perimeter, body mass index (BMI), daytime drowsiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), nasal and pharyngeal examination, Müller's manoeuvre, and Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI).

Patients with OSA included in this study are older and more obese, and they have a greater neck perimeter. In addition, they present greater daytime sleepiness and a greater frequency of pharyngeal collapse in Müller's mano-euvre than mere snorers. Clinical and epidemiological parameters were seen to correlate better with the existence of OSA in clearly obese individuals (BMI >30) than in individuals with normal BMI scores (<24) or even overweight (25-29). As far as age was concerned, the clinical and epidemiological parameters showed more statistically significant differences between patients with OSA and simple snorers among the youngest individuals in our sample (<43 years of age).

Physical examination and the clinical and epidemiological data are useful to complete the diagnostic assessment of these patients.