Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
3.1K
Relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and silent brain infarction
Vusal Nacafaliyev1, Pınar Ortan2, Sevgi Sidika Sayin1
1Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|May 2, 2023
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is linked to silent brain infarcts (SBI). Moderate to severe OSAS significantly increases the risk of SBI, suggesting a higher risk for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- The association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and ischemic stroke remains incompletely understood.
- Silent brain infarcts (SBI) are a potential indicator of cerebrovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between OSAS and the presence of SBI.
- To determine if OSAS severity correlates with SBI occurrence.
Main Methods:
- Patients presenting with snoring and sleep-related respiratory arrest underwent polysomnography.
- Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect SBI in all participants.
- Patients were stratified based on their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) to assess OSAS severity.
Main Results:
- Silent brain infarcts (SBI) were detected in 51.5% of patients with OSAS versus 34.8% of those without OSAS.
- A significant correlation was found between the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and the presence of SBI.
- SBI prevalence was higher in moderate to severe OSAS (AHI > 15) at 56.56% compared to mild OSAS (AHI ≤ 15) at 39.94% (p=0.009).
Conclusions:
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with a significantly higher incidence of silent brain infarcts.
- Sleep-related desaturations may contribute to the development of these infarcts.
- Patients with moderate to severe OSAS may face an elevated risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, necessitating tailored treatment strategies.
