[Undiagnosed (corrected) cases of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a new reason for involvement of otorhinolaryngologists].
BACKGROUND
In Spain there are around 2 million people with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome who should be treated. However, less than 10 % have been diagnosed and treated. Untreated patients are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and neurological complications, higher accident rates, reduced quality of life and greater health-care consumption. It is necessary, therefore, to reduce these consequences through early diagnosis and treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the usefulness of a simple series of questions and examination as a mechanism to detect patients with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, in a consultation with a general otorhinolaryngologist.


METHODS
Five hundred two consecutive patients coming to an otorhinolaryngological consultation for reasons other than sleep pathology were submitted to a series of questions and an examination of upper aerodigestive tract, to search for indications of suspected sleep apnoea. For the different clinical and anatomical comparisons, a control group of 178 consecutive already-diagnosed patients was used.


RESULTS
Of the 502 cases, 74 (14.7%) fulfilled the requirements for suspicion and 35 of them agreed to take a polysomnograph test (47.29%). Of this group, an apnoea/ hypopnoea index greater than 5 was found in 24 of the 35 cases (4.78%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in the group of patients studied is greater than that of the general population. With a simple interview and physical examination, a high rate of success can be obtained in the detection of undiagnosed sleep apnoea cases.
Esteller
Eduard
E
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital General de Catalunya, San Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, España. esteller@abaforum.es
Huerta
Paula
P
Segarra
Francesc
F
Matiñó
Eusebi
E
Enrique
Anna
A
Ademà
J M
JM
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*