Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in eldery patients

Introduction: The incidence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is estimated at 2% to 4 %. Work on OSAHS in the elderly patients are few and their results are conflicting .The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and the predictive factors of severity of OSAHS in elderly patients. Patients and methods: 460 patients were investigated for suspected OSAHS in pulmonology department. We divided the patients in two groups: group 1: patients with age ≥ 65 years-old and group 2 with patients of age <65 years-old. The clinical and par clinical characteristics were compared in both groups. Results: 360 patients with OSAHS were included: 89 patients in the group 1 (58 women and 31 men, mean age 70 ± 4 years) and 271 patients in the group2 (118 men and 153 women). All elderly patients had co-morbidity and OSAHS was severe in 56 % of them. There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms in both groups. The predictive factors associated with a severe OSAHS in elderly patients were respiratory pauses, the Epworth scale and the BMI. Conclusion: OSAHS is common in the elderly; the presence of co- morbidity is very common. Despite of advanced age OSHAS may be no more severe in elderly patients.