Sleep disorders breathing in COPD patients

Abstract

Objectives: Verify the prevalence of sleep disorders breathing in COPD patients. Methods: This was a cross sectional study, conducted in accordance with the strengthening of observational studies of communication in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. COPD patients who adhere to the eligibility criteria were consecutively recruited, and referred to the Sleep Laboratory of Instituto do Pulmao de Cascavel (Parana, Brazil). Results: The study involved 102 stable COPD patients (24 female), with a mean age of 71.38 ± 9.4 years, mean body mass index of 25.6 ± 4.7, mean neck circumference 38 ± 4.3. The mean apnoea/ hypopnea index per hour was 17.1 ± 18.2, and basal oxygen saturation average of 91.15 ± 3.1, and mean heart rate of 76.7 ± 7.3. The REM sleep was 12.67 ± 8.87 and NREM3 sleep was 21.47 ± 13.3 (% total sleep time). The mean basal oxygen saturation was 91.15 ± 3.1 and the nadir oxygen saturation was 80.97 ± 9.1. The central sleep apnoea was observed in 35.29% and obstructive sleep apnoea in 67.7% of our sample. According the severity criteria, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea was 32.3% normal, 26.47% mild, 19.6% moderate, and 21.56% severe. Conclusions: Clinically stable COPD patients exhibit a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea.