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Nighttime hypoxemia is increased in abstaining chronic alcoholic men
M V Vitiello1, P N Prinz, J P Personius
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Chronic alcoholic men experience more nighttime hypoxemia, a condition of low blood oxygen. This study confirms that long-term alcohol abuse is a significant risk factor for developing sleep apnea.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Previous research indicated nighttime hypoxemia in abstaining chronic alcoholic men.
- A need existed for a larger sample and a more appropriate control group to validate these findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and confirm the association between chronic alcohol abuse and nighttime hypoxemia.
- To investigate potential risk factors for hypoxemia in abstaining alcoholic men.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 47 abstaining alcoholic men and 35 age- and weight-matched controls were studied.
- Nighttime oxygen desaturations below 90% were measured and compared between groups.
- Regression analyses identified predictors of hypoxemia within the alcoholic group.
Main Results:
- The alcoholic group exhibited significantly more nighttime oxygen desaturations (<90%) than controls (16.9 vs. 6.2).
- A higher percentage of alcoholic individuals experienced >10 or >20 desaturations.
- Severity of alcohol abuse, not other factors, predicted hypoxemia levels.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms increased nighttime hypoxemia in abstaining chronic alcoholic men.
- Long-term alcohol abuse is suggested as a risk factor for sleep apnea development.