title: Unique features of obstructive sleep apnea in World Trade Center responders with aerodigestive disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in World Trade Center (WTC) responders with aerodigestive disorders and snoring with non-WTC habitual snorers, and to distinguish features of OSA in a subset of responders with worsening of snoring after 9/11 from responders with previous habitual snoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional comparative study of 50 WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program responders with aerodigestive disorders and snoring and 50 nonresponders with snoring. Responders with worsening of snoring after 9/11 were compared with previous habitual snorers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : While there was a strong correlation between body mass index (BMI), weight, and Apnea + Hypopnea Index (r = 0.36, P = 0.001; r = 0.29, P = 0.044) in the nonresponders, no correlation between either BMI or weight and Apnea + Hypopnea Index was found in the responders. Responders with worsening of snoring after 9/11 had a significantly lower BMI than previous habitual snorers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mechanisms other than obesity are important in the pathogenesis of OSA in WTC responders with aerodigestive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. sunderja@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Jag
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunderram
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Udasin
authors.forename: Kathie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelly-McNeil
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Clarimel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cepeda
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marroccoli
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perret
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ohman-Strickland
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scardella
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kipen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004391:Dust; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018635:Rescue Work; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012913:Snoring / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D004391:Dust