title: Assessment of sleep complaints and sleep-disordered breathing in a consecutive series of obese patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of sleep-related complaints (SRC) and the frequency of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in obese patients has not been studied extensively. We investigated SRC and SDB in a group of obese persons as part of a preoperative workup for weight reduction (bariatric) surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive patients attending a weight-loss clinic for evaluation for bariatric surgery were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a section on SRC and a validated general sleep questionnaire (Sleep Wake Experience List). The patients underwent sleep studies in which an Edentrace recorder registered heart rate, chest wall movements by impedance, airflow and oxygen saturation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one patients (14 men, 37 women) were evaluated. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 45 kg/m2 (range 33-61). Eighteen patients (35%) demonstrated SDB, defined as (a) an apnea/hypopnea index 5, and/or (b) more than 2% of registration time with an oxygen saturation below 90%. There was no difference between these 18 patients and patients who did not exhibit SDB in age, sex, BMI or SRC. Seven patients had SDB of a severity warranting closer investigation and perioperative monitoring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both SRC and SDB are common in obese patients. Limited nocturnal respiratory monitoring is indicated as part of the preoperative workup for weight reduction surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: van Kralingen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Kanter
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Venmans
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Boxem
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: van Keimpema
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Postmus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D017286:Polysomnography; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology