title: Association of high-risk scores for obstructive sleep apnea with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have an association with bradyarrhythmias but often remains undiagnosed. Our aim was to determine if patients with a high risk of OSA attending our cardiology clinics had an association with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias, as this information might lead to changes in management strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Berlin questionnaire was used to assess risk of OSA in 190 patients, and they were divided into high-risk or low-risk groups. Demographic data and medical histories were recorded and patients groups were compared with t-tests and chi-square tests. A multivariate regression analysis was done to correct for confounding variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of our sample population was 63.0 ± 14.7 years with a mean BMI of 29.5 ± 7.8 kg/m2. Using the Berlin questionnaire, 41.3% of the patients were classified as high risk; 15.7% of the patients had a known diagnosis of OSA. Between high-risk and low-risk groups, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of bradyarrhythmias (22.5 vs. 15.2% P = 0.21), symptomatic sinus node dysfunction (14.4 vs. 11.4% P = 0.66) or atrioventricular block (10.8 vs. 6.3% P = 0.33). A multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that dyslipidemia had the strongest association with a high risk for OSA, but not bradyarrhythmias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the Berlin questionnaire, patients at a high risk for OSA did not have an increased prevalence of bradyarrhythmias. More studies are needed to assess the utility of evaluating patients with bradyarrhythmias for OSA prior to implanting permanent pacing devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Connor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez-Verdia
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nugent
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology