Sleep Apnea and Idiopathic Leg Edema: A Case Control Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Sleep Medicine
• Clinical Investigation

Background:

• Idiopathic leg edema is a debated condition among physicians.
• Recent studies suggest a potential link between sleep apnea and leg edema.
• Investigating this association in diverse patient populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between idiopathic leg edema and sleep apnea in Iranian patients.
• To determine if sleep apnea is a contributing factor to unexplained leg swelling.
• To assess the prevalence of sleep apnea in patients with idiopathic leg edema.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 110 patients (55 with idiopathic leg edema, 55 without).
• Data collected included demographics, body mass index (BMI), and daytime somnolence via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
• Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) was calculated using ResMed ApneaLink, with AHI ≥ 15 indicating sleep apnea.

Main Results:

• Patients with idiopathic leg edema had significantly higher BMI and AHI compared to controls.
• Daytime somnolence was also more prevalent in the idiopathic leg edema group.
• An overall odds ratio of 3.068 indicated a significant association between leg edema and sleep apnea (P=0.025).

Conclusions:

• Idiopathic bilateral leg edema is strongly associated with sleep apnea.
• Routine sleep apnea assessment is recommended for patients presenting with idiopathic bilateral leg edema.
• This association warrants further investigation across different genders and ethnicities.