[Evaluation of the character of morphologic traits in persons with obstructive sleep apnea]

The aim of the study was carried out to show the anthropometric analysis of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and to answer the question about the relations between the degree of SAS and obesity. The research has begun since May 1993 in an interdisciplinary team. The study was carried out in a group of 40 men diagnosed as SAS in Sleep Apnoea Unit of Department of Pulmonary Diseases. The anthropometric analysis consists of basic somatometric measurements. The relations between obesity and the degree of apnoeas was determined by analysis of variance and the model of single and multiple regression. The obtained results demonstrate the dependence between the grade of apnoeas pathology during sleep and the measurements of upper body parts. The slope of the line B not equal to 0 indicates that the intensity of SAS increases in patients "commonly considered as obese". Obesity is an important factor leading to disturbances in respiratory ventilation. An important development of fatty tissue of the neck can cause pressure changes and can induce adipose degeneration. An increased fatty thickness of the thorax is a factor which can lead to the aggravation of symptoms.