title: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome-related symptoms and their relation to airflow limitation in an elderly population receiving home care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both airflow limitation and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)-related symptoms are most prevalent in the elderly population. Previous studies revealed significant associations between OSAHS-related symptoms and obstructive airway diseases in the general population. However, other studies showed that the frequency of OSAHS-related symptoms in patients with obstructive airway diseases decreases after the age of 60 and older.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of OSAHS-related symptoms (snoring, breathing pauses, and excessive daytime sleepiness [EDS]) and their relations to airflow limitation, for people over 65 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  A full screening spirometry program was performed in a total of 490 aging participants (mean age 77.5 years - range 65-98) who were attending 16 home care settings in central Greece. Airflow limitation was assessed according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) spirometric criteria (FEV1/FVC <70%). The Berlin Questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to screen individuals for OSAHS-related symptoms. Bivariate associations were described using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Airflow limitation prevalence was 17.1% (male 24.2% and female 9.9%) and was strongly related to male gender and smoking status. The prevalence rates of frequent snoring, breathing pauses, and EDS were 28.1%, 12.9%, and 11.6%, respectively. However, participants with airflow limitation were less likely to report breathing pauses, frequent snoring, EDS, and obesity. Finally, frequent snoring was significantly more common in males than females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed decreased frequency of OSAHS-related symptoms in participants with airflow limitation suggesting that OSAHS-related symptoms and airflow limitation are not related in our elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Kleisiaris
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England.
authors.forename: Evangelos I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Kritsotakis
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Daniil
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tzanakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratories, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Agelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Gourgoulianis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: excessive daytime sleepiness; obstructive airway diseases; sleep apnea syndrome; snoring