[Clinical relevance of periodic limb movements during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea patients].
BACKGROUND
The periodic limb movements disorder (PLMD) is frequently associated with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the prevalence and clinical relevance of this association have not been studied in detail.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to make a prospective study on the prevalence of PLMD in patients with OSAS, and correlate this association with clinical and respiratory parameters.


METHODS
Forty-two patients diagnosed with OSAS, without clinical suspicion of PLMD, underwent a polysomnographic study. Clinical symptoms and signs were evaluated with an structured questionnaire, and respiratory parameters were obtained from the nocturnal study.


RESULTS
Periodic limb movements were found in 10 patients (24%). There were no differences in clinical parameters between both groups (with and without periodical limb movements). However, respiratory parameters were significantly worse in patients without PLMD.


CONCLUSIONS
PLMD is very frequent in patients with OSAS, and can contribute to worsen clinical signs and symptoms in these patients independently from respiratory parameters.
Iriarte
J
J
Departamento de Neurología y Neurofisiología, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona. jiriarte@unav.es
Alegre
M
M
Irimia
P
P
Urriza
J
J
Artieda
J
J
D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D004585:Electrooculography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020189:Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*