[Sign and symptoms in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea: present status and problems]

We studied 176 patients with habitual snoring (HS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to find out whether Japanese patients with OSA differ from those in western countries. The prevalence and pathophysiology of hypertension may substantially differ between OSA patients in Japan and in western countries: body mass index may be more closely associated with hypertension in western patients. No statistical relationship was found between obesity and hypertension in Japanese patients. Although the reason is unknown, thinner body builds in Japanese patients could account for this difference. However, if Japanese patients complain of severe obesity or excessive daytime sleepiness, or both, and have a saw-tooth sign in the flow-volume curve or hypertension, or both, a polysomuography should be indicated.