title: [Characteristics of the sleep apnea syndrome in the aged].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the characteristics of the sleep apnea syndrome in the aged.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two males who were suspicious of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) were detected with 7-hour polysomnography (PSG).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference showed no significant difference in the aged and middle aged groups. The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and microarousal index (MAI) were significantly lower, and the minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2) significantly higher in the aged than those in the middle aged (P < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated to AHI (r = -0.329, P < 0.05). The BMI and neck circumference were positively correlated to AHI (r = 0.326, P < 0.05; r = 0.306, P < 0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SAS patients are less severe in the aged excluding the affection of the BMI and neck circumference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
authors.forename: Ying-quan
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-jian
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*