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Related Experiment Videos

Are thyroid function tests necessary in patients with suspected sleep apnea?

J W Winkelman1, H Goldman, N Piscatelli

  • 1Sleep Disorders Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Sleep
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Thyroid screening is not recommended for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) unless they have specific symptoms. This study found no increased prevalence of hypothyroidism in OSA patients compared to those without the condition.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • A suspected link between hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often prompts thyroid evaluation in affected patients.
  • However, the actual prevalence of hypothyroidism in this population and its association with OSA requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients referred for polysomnography.
  • To assess if hypothyroidism rates are higher in patients with OSA compared to those without OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Ultrasensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) testing was conducted on 255 patients referred for polysomnography.
  • Patients were categorized based on referral reason (OSA, periodic leg movement disorder, narcolepsy, parasomnia) and OSA diagnosis.

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Main Results:

  • Hypothyroidism was detected in 1.6% of all patients. The prevalence was 1.5% in OSA evaluation referrals and 2.0% in other sleep disorder referrals.
  • No significant difference in hypothyroidism rates was observed between patients with OSA (2.9%) and those without OSA (0.7%).
  • Hyperthyroidism rates were similar to or higher than hypothyroidism rates across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • Routine thyroid screening for patients with suspected or confirmed OSA is not justified without specific hypothyroid signs/symptoms or high-risk factors (e.g., women >60).
  • The study suggests that hypothyroidism is not a significant independent risk factor for OSA.