Gastroesophageal reflux and obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-initiated laryngeal chemoreflexes contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial of an antireflux treatment protocol as a means of reducing the severity of OSA. Population consisted of 10 males aged 20 to 64 years with confirmed OSA (by overnight polysomnography) and GER (by ambulatory pH probe monitoring). Patients were treated with omeprazole and standard antireflux protocol for 30 days and pre- and posttreatment polysomnography variables were compared.


RESULTS
Mean apnea index declined 31% (45-31, P = .04); mean respiratory disturbance index declined 25% (62-46, P = .06). Three patients (30%) are "treatment responders" as defined by traditional OSA treatment definitions.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a potential relationship between OSA and GER, the treatment of which may be an effective adjunctive in those with both disorders. Treatment of GER may significantly impact OSA in select individuals.
Senior
B A
BA
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Brent_Senior@med.unc.edu
Khan
M
M
Schwimmer
C
C
Rosenthal
L
L
Benninger
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000503:physiopathology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017286:Polysomnography; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009853:Omeprazole