Correlation between severity of endoscopic findings and apnea-hypopnea index in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as an indicator of the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.


METHODS
Data of 57 patients with proven obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to severity of the sleep apnea: "mild-moderate" (A)-AHI >or=5-30, n = 27, "severe" (B)-AHI >30, n = 30. All patients underwent apnea monitoring during the night, upper panendoscopy and were asked about typical reflux symptoms.


RESULTS
All examined patients in both groups showed a significant overweight and there was a positive correlation between body mass index and the degree of sleep apnea (P = 0.0002). The occurrence of erosive reflux disease was significantly higher in "severe" group (P = 0.0001). Using a logistic regression analysis a positive correlation was found between the endoscopic severity of reflux disease and the AHI (P = 0.016). Forty-nine point five percent of the patients experienced the typical symptoms of reflux disease at least three times a week and there was no significant difference between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A positive correlation can be found between the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
Demeter
Pál
P
Department of Gastroenterology, St. Margaret's Hospital, Becsiut 132., Budapest 1032, Hungary. pauldemeter@axelero.hu
Visy
Katalin Várdi
KV
Magyar
Pál
P
D000328:Adult; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*