FREQUENCY OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA).

Abstract

Background; Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commonly complicated by left heart disease and is associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study was done to determine the frequency of pulmonary hypertension in OSA to ascertain current magnitude of the problem. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was done at Department of Medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan. A total of 95 patients with OSA were included in this study. Once registered in the study, all the relevant baseline investigations were done like echocargiography to diagnose Pulmonary Hypertension. History was taken like diabetes, hypertension, smoking  and other sociodemographic factors was inquired and statistical analysis was performed by entering all the data in SPSS version 20. Results; Of these 95 study cases, 60 (63.25) were male patients and 35 (26.8%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 36.57 ± 6.06 years. Of these 95 study cases, 20 (21.1%) had diabetes and hypertension was noted in 42 (44.2%) of our study cases. Mean height of our study cases was 156.39 ± 12.92 centimeters while mean weight of our study cases was 74.59 ± 17.27 kilograms. Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was 27.33 ± 4.07 kg/m² and obesity was present in 40 (42.1%) of our study cases. Mean disease duration was 26.32 ± 10.97 months and history of smoking was present in 21 (22.1%). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 43 (45.3%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Very high frequency of pulmonary hypertension was observed in our study among patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Pulmonary hypertension was significantly associated with diabetes, disease duration, smoking and obesity. All clinicians treating such patients should investigate for pulmonary hypertension for early diagnosis and management which will decrease morbidity and improve quality of life of these patients.

Keywords; Obstructive sleep apnea, Pulmonary hypertension, Arterial hypertension.