How common is sleep-disordered breathing in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
OBJECTIVE
The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of OSAHS in newly diagnosed IPF patients and to identify possible correlations with body mass index and pulmonary function testing parameters.


METHODS
Thirty-four newly diagnosed IPF patients were included. All subjects underwent attended overnight PSG. None of the included subjects was under any of the currently available IPF treatments or nocturnal supplemental oxygen therapy.


RESULTS
Total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was <5, 5-15, and ≥ 15/h of sleep in 14 (41%), 15 (44%), and five patients (15%), respectively. REM AHI was statistically significant correlated with TLC [Total lung capacity] (p=0.03, r= -0.38). Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was correlated with mean oxygen saturation during sleep (p=0.02, r=0.39).


CONCLUSIONS
Sleep-disordered breathing seems frequent, although remains usually under diagnosed in IPF patients. A decrease in TLC, reflecting the severity of pulmonary restriction, might predispose IPF patients in SDB, especially during the vulnerable REM sleep period.
Sleep Disorders Center, 401 General Army Hospital, Thrakis 61A, Brilissia, Athens, Greece. mermigh@gmail.com
Charalampos
C
Mermigkis
Eleni
E
Stagaki
Stavros
S
Tryfon
Sophia
S
Schiza
Anastasia
A
Amfilochiou
Vlassios
V
Polychronopoulos
Panagiotis
P
Panagou
Nikolaos
N
Galanis
Anastasios
A
Kallianos
Demetrios
D
Mermigkis
Antony
A
Kopanakis
Georgios
G
Varouchakis
Fotis
F
Kapsimalis
Demosthenis
D
Bouros
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D017286:Polysomnography; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen