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Related Experiment Videos

Obstructive sleep apnea presenting as acute delirium

J F Whitney1, D E Gannon

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405-0068, USA.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) can cause acute delirium. Treating OSA resolved the delirium in a patient, suggesting a novel link between sleep apnea and acute confusion.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Acute delirium is a common emergency department presentation.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder.
  • The link between OSA and acute delirium has not been previously established.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with acute delirium and abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep.
  • Episodes of apnea and oxygen desaturation were noted.
  • The clinical presentation raised suspicion for undiagnosed OSA.

Findings:

  • Formal polysomnography confirmed a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
  • Other potential causes of acute delirium were systematically excluded.
  • The patient's delirium resolved completely following treatment for OSA.

Implications:

  • This case suggests OSA as a potential, previously unreported cause of acute delirium.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of OSA may be crucial in managing delirium patients.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the prevalence and mechanisms of OSA-induced delirium.

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