Clinical features, polysomnography and outcome in patients with hypnic headache

Hypnic headache is rarely reported in Asians, and the proposed International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-2 criteria have never been field-tested. We studied 17 consecutive Taiwanese patients (M/F: 9/8, mean age at onset 69.6 years) with hypnic headache from a headache clinic. Fifteen patients (88%) reported >15 headache attack days per month. Polysomnography studies done on 11 patients recorded 12 attacks in seven patients: two during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, three during non-REM sleep and two having both. Five of the seven patients reported their headache profile during polysomnography studies. The clinical course was mostly episodic without recurrence ( n  = 9, 53%), followed by relapsing/remitting ( n  = 5) and chronic ( n  = 3). The ICHD-2 criteria were not fulfilled in 35% (6/17) patients based on patient recall or 60% (3/5) patients based on direct questioning during polysomnography studies. The major reason was the presence of pulsatile rather than dull headache in our patients. Unlike previous studies, our study showed hypnic headache occurred equally in both REM and non-REM sleep, and most patients ran an episodic course.     

Headache in sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether there is a relationship between the headache characteristics and polysomnographic findings in patients with prediagnosis of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and, if there is, to search for its possible cause. BACKGROUND: Chronic morning headache is considered by many to be an important part of the SAS. Some reports support this relationship, and some do not. METHODS: We questioned 75 patients with SAS about headache. Headaches were classified according to the International Headache Society (IHS-88) system. We evaluated the relationship between headache and polysomnographic findings. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant relationship between headache and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) or minimal oxygen saturation (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: We could not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between headache, AHI, and minimal oxygen saturation in our patients with SAS.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征与高血压相互关系的认识

目的　探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征 (OSAS)与高血压 (HT)的关系。方法　对 1999- 0 3～ 2 0 0 1- 10门诊就诊的主诉睡眠打鼾患者行多导睡眠图监测 ,符合诊断标准者为 OSAS组 ,余为对照组。对两组睡眠监测结果中的呼吸紊乱指数 (AHI)、夜间最低动脉血氧饱和度 (Sa O2 low)及睡前、晨起、治疗后的血压进行分析。结果　 OSAS组晨起血压较睡前血压明显升高 (P<0 .0 0 1)。对照组晨起血压较睡前血压明显升高 (P<0 .0 5 )。 OSAS组与对照组睡前血压无明显差异 (P>0 .0 5 ) ,晨起血压 OSAS组明显升高 (P<0 .0 0 1)。经持续气道正压通气 (CPAP)治疗后 OSAS组晨起血压较治疗前明显下降 (P<0 .0 0 1)。OSAS组晨起血压与 AHI呈正相关 ,与夜间最低动脉血氧饱和度呈负相关。结论　 OSAS患者血压增高与夜间缺氧有关 ,CPAP治疗有效     

Apnoea-hypopnoea index during rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep in obstructive sleep apnoea

This study investigated the differences in apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (AHI-REM) and AHI during non-REM (NREM) sleep (AHI-NREM) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Nocturnal polysomnography was performed in 102 Japanese OSA patients and their AHI along with a variety of other factors were retrospectively evaluated. Regardless of the severity of AHI, mean apnoea duration was longer and patients' lowest recorded oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry was lower during REM sleep than during NREM sleep. Approximately half of the patients (n = 50) had a higher AHI-NREM than AHI-REM. In subjects with AHI >or= 60 events/h, AHI-NREM was significantly higher than AHI-REM. On multivariate logistic regression, severe AHI >or= 30 events/h was the only predictor of a higher AHI-NREM than AHI-REM. This may indicate that important, but unknown, factors related to the mechanism responsible for the severity of OSA are operative during NREM sleep.     

Severe obstructive sleep apnoea exacerbates the microvascular impairment in very mild hypertensives

Background Different studies have shown that obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), frequently associated with hypertension, represents a harmful and independent risk for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to ascertain whether the occurrence of OSAS could worsen microcirculatory impairment in very mild hypertensives. Materials and methods One hundred untreated very mild hypertensives underwent polysomnography and subdivided into 32 non‐OSAS, 33 mild OSAS and 35 severe OSAS patients on standardized criteria. They underwent routine blood chemistry, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and anthropometric analysis. Skin capillary density (n mm^?2) of forearm (FAC) and periungueal (PUC) fields was obtained through videocapillaroscopy. By a venous congestion manoeuvre, PUC was maximized (CVC) and secondary capillary recruitment (GAIN) was calculated. These measurements served as indices of structural and functional capillary rarefaction, respectively. Results Severe OSAS hypertensives showed reduced FAC (P < 0·001) and PUC (P < 0·001) as compared to those with mild OSAS and non‐OSAS, but a greater CVC (P < 0·01) and GAIN (P < 0·001). Multiple regression analysis showed that PUC was inversely related to total sleep time with oxyhaemoglobin saturation at < 90% (TST90) (P < 0·001) and FAC to the apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) (P < 0·001) and to the sleep propensity (P < 0·01). CVC was positively associated to AHI (P < 0·001) and GAIN to TST90 (P < 0·05). Conclusions The findings suggest that OSAS, by means of reduced basal and functional capillarity rarefaction, might pose an additional risk of impaired peripheral perfusion in very mild hypertensives. A microcirculation studytherefore should be a part of the clinical approach in patients at high cerebro‐cardiovascular risk such as hypertensives and patients with OSAS.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征与肥胖、颈围、颈长的相关性研究

Sleepapneasyndrome（SAS）isacommonmedicalcondition，themostofSASpatientsareobstructivesleepapneasyndrome（OSAS），manypatientsareoverweight，obese，andhaveathickerneck．We＇llstudytheclinicalfeaturesinpatientswithOSAS，andevaluatedthevaluesofclinicalfeaturesinthepatients．１Subjectandmethods１．１SubjectThestudysubjectsconsistedof１２１objectsreferredtotheSleepCenteratHospitalofGuangxiAutonomousRegion．Theyweredividedintotwogroups．８９（６２males，and２７females）subjectshadOSAS，ag…     

Doppler measurement of blood flow velocities in extraocular orbital vessels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

PURPOSE: We used color Doppler sonography to determine blood flow velocities in the extraocular orbital vessels of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and compared the results with those of healthy control subjects without OSAS. METHODS: Patients with OSAS were classified according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as having mild OSAS (AHI < 20) or severe OSAS (AHI > or = 20). The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index were measured in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), lateral short posterior ciliary artery, and medial short posterior ciliary artery using color Doppler sonography. Only 1 eye was measured in each study participant, and right and left eyes were chosen randomly. The blood flow velocities of patients with OSAS and those of control subjects were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. RESULTS: The study comprised 30 patients (15 with mild and 15 with severe OSAS) and 20 healthy control subjects. Blood flow velocities were higher in most measured vessels in patients with OSAS than they were in the control subjects. Among patients with mild OSAS, the PSVs and EDVs in the posterior ciliary arteries were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), but those in the OA and CRA did not differ significantly between the mild OSAS group and the control group (p > 0.05). However, as the severity of OSAS increased, the PSVs and EDVs of the OA and CRA were also affected (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler sonographic measurements of blood flow parameters in the orbital vessels may differ significantly between patients with OSAS and those without the syndrome. Therefore, OSAS should be considered in addition to other conditions when interpreting the results of color Doppler sonography of the extraocular orbital vessels if the clinical history points toward such a diagnosis.     

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Atrial Overdrive Pacing on Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background: Atrial overdrive pacing is a novel method that has been used to treat patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in many trials. However, the effects of atrial overdrive pacing on SAS are unclear.
Methods: Studies were retrieved from the PubMed and EMBASE databases (1966 to January 2008), the Central Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (January 2008), and reference lists. Randomized controlled trials were selected that compared atrial overdrive pacing with nonpacing in SAS. Information on study design, patient characteristics, the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), and minimum arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) was extracted.
Results: Eight trials that included a total of 129 patients were identified. The analysis showed that atrial overdrive pacing, as compared to nonpacing, reduced the AHI and increased the minimum SaO₂ significantly in the subgroup of patients who presented predominantly with central sleep apnea syndrome (CSAS) (for AHI, mean difference [MD]=−17.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −23.25 to −10.91; for minimum SaO₂, MD = 4.00, 95% CI: 2.48 to 5.52, respectively). The AHI (MD =−2.94, 95% CI: −5.33 to −0.54) was also significantly reduced in the subgroup of patients who showed predominant obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the result of the analysis of AHI in OSAS-predominant trials was not robust to the exclusion of some trials. There was weak evidence of an increase in minimum SaO₂ in the subgroup in which OSAS was predominant (MD = 0.13, 95% CI: −1.18 to 1.45).
Conclusions: Atrial overdrive pacing appears to be effective in patients with CSAS. The role of atrial overdrive pacing in OSAS remains unclear.     

老年人睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的睡眠质量调查

INTRODUCTIONObstructivesleepapneasyndrome（OSAS）isoneofthecommonsleepdisorders，especiallyintheelderly．PatientswithOSASusu－allycomplainofexcessivedaytimedrowsinessandtiredness，lackofconcentration，memoryimpairment，andsometimespsychologicaldisturbances．Asaresultofthesesymptomsandfunctionalimpair－ments，OSASpatientsoftenreporthavingapoorsleepquality犤１－２犦．Inthisstudy，wewereinterestedinevaluatingthesubjectivesleepqualityinelderlypatientssufferingfromOSAS．MATERIALSAND…     

Sleep quality in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

To investigate the sleep quality in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS),METHODS:54 cases of elderly patients with OSAS were evaluated by the pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire,RESULTS:Among 54 OSAS patients 35 cases (65%) reported poor quality of sleep,only 7(13%) cases reported good.A significant negative correlation was found between apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and PSQI,and part of its components .CONCLUSION:Elderly patients with OSAS ofter complain of poor quality of sleep.Daytime dysfunction,poor subjective sleep quality,low habitual sleep efficiency and long sleep latency constitutes the principal parts of the symptoms about sleep.     

急性脑血管病与睡眠呼吸障碍的关系研究

目的　探讨急性脑血管病与睡眠呼吸障碍(SDB)的关系。方法　利用多导睡眠图(PSG)对86例急性脑血管病患者进行睡眠全程监测,并选择年龄、性别和体重指数(BMI)相当的健康体检者50例作为正常对照组。结果　研究组睡眠结构紊乱,表现为睡眠效率降低、深睡期和快速眼动(REM)睡眠时间减少、浅睡时间延长,与正常对照组比较,均有显著性差异(均为P<0. 01);同时与正常对照组比较,研究组夜间鼾声指数和呼吸紊乱指数(RDI)明显增高(均为P<0. 01),氧减指数(ODI)和动脉血氧饱和度(SaO2 )明显降低(均为P<0. 01),其中58例(67. 44% )诊断为阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征。研究组中睡眠发病率明显高于清晨觉醒后和活动时(均为P<0. 01)。结论　睡眠呼吸障碍,尤其是阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)与急性脑血管病的关系密切,既是其发病的独立危险因素,又是其结果;早期诊治睡眠呼吸障碍对于脑血管病的预防、治疗和康复有重要意义。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者低氧血症与动态血压变化关系的研究

目的：探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OSAS）患者夜间低氧血症与动态血压变化的相互关系。方法：选择诊断为OSAS患者60例和正常对照组20例进行多导睡眠图检查和24小时动态血压监测。结果：①在OSASD组中,睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）、经皮血氧饱和度（SpO2)降低大于0．04的总次数、SpO2低于0．90的时间及SpO2降低幅度均明显高于正常对照组（P均＜0．001）;睡眠中SpO2最低值、SpO2平均值均低于正常对照组（P均＜0．001）;在轻、中、重度组间两两比较,上述指标也有显著性差异（P均＜0．001）。②轻度OSAS患者的动态血压及其昼夜节律的改变与正常组无显著性差异;中度OSAS患者的夜间平均收缩压（nMDP）及血压昼夜节律的改变与正常组无显著性差异（P＜0．05）;而重度OSAS组的动态血压改变更加明显（与正常对照组、轻、中度组组比有显著差异,P均＜0．05）;同时有夜间血压下降、切律紊乱,昼夜血压差值减少,尤其是舒张压昼夜变化差值减少更为明显。结论：OSAS病情越重,睡眠时SpO2降低的程度越显著,低氧血症也越明显。OSAS患者各期血压的平均水平与AHI、呼吸暂停持续时间及SpO2降低的程度显著相关,OSAS的病情越重,这种血压变化及昼夜切律改变越显著。     

Improvement of factor VII clotting activity following long-term NCPAP treatment in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a very common disorder. Patients with OSAS are at an increased risk for cardiovascular events. It has also been reported that a 25% rise in factor VII clotting activity (FVIIc) is associated with a 55% increase in ischaemic heart disease death during the first 5 years. We examined the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) treatment on FVIIc in patients with OSAS. FVIIc was investigated prospectively in 15 patients with OSAS before (mean +/- SEM apnoea and hypopnoea index (AHI) 61.5 +/- 4.2 and after (AHI 3.0 +/- 0.9) NCPAP treatment for immediate relief, at 1 month after treatment and at over 6 months. FVIIc levels gradually decreased after NCPAP treatment. After 6 months of NCPAP treatment, FVIIc levels had decreased significantly (before 141.1 +/- 11.7% vs. after 6 months 110.7 +/- 6.2%; p < 0.01). Six of the seven patients whose FVIIc levels were over 140% before the NCPAP treatment had FVIIc levels below 130% after 6 months or 1 year of NCPAP treatment. This decrease in FVIIc after long-term NCPAP treatment could improve mortality in OSAS patients. If patients, especially obese ones, present with high FVIIc of unknown origin, it would be prudent to check for OSAS.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征32例家庭护理体会

目的:探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)患者家庭护理方法。方法:对32例阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者进行家庭经鼻持续正压通气(CPAP)治疗,观察对比治疗前后症状及相关参数的改变。结果:本组患者治疗前后最长呼吸暂停时间、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、睡眠时最低血氧饱和度比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论:对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者行早期家庭治疗具有简便、无创、患者易于接受等优点,可推广使用。     

Relationship among the severity of sleep apnea syndrome,cardiac arrhythmias,and autonomic imbalance

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), cardiac arrhythmias, and conduction disturbances in adults remains controversial. Early studies showed a higher prevalence than more recent and designed epidemiological studies. To clarify the actual prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in patients referred for assessment of OSAS, a prospective cohort study was conducted: 147 consecutive patients (103 men; mean age of 54.5 +/- 10.7 years) underwent time-synchronized polysomnography and ECG Holter monitoring. OSAS was diagnosed in 66 (44.9%) of them based on an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > or = 10. Prevalence of heart failure, of prior myocardial infarction, of hypertension, and of ventricular arrhythmias were similar in patients with or without OSAS. Nocturnal paroxysmal asystole was significantly more prevalent in OSAS patients (10.6 vs 1.2%; P < 0.02) and the number of episodes of bradycardia and pauses increased with the severity of the syndrome. Almost all bradycardic events occurred in patients with severe OSAS (AHI > 30), prolonged periods of arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation, and low diurnal awake PaO2. Moreover, using heart rate variability analysis, nocturnal sinusal dysfunction contrasted with a blunted diurnal parasympathetic modulation of the sinus node. Frequent nocturnal nonsustained supraventricular tachycardias were predominantly found in patients with severe sleep related breathing disorders; however, an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias was not found. Under continuous positive airway pressure treatment, the 1-year follow-up of OSAS patients with nocturnal pauses did not reveal any arrhythmic event justifying a specific intervention.     

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea as a therapeutic modality for associated erectile dysfunction

Aim: This study aimed to determine the impact of long‐term treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and obstruction relieving surgical procedure on obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients on erectile function (EF). Methods: Eighty male OSAS patients, suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) were studied. The severity of OSAS was determined by evaluation of daytime sleep tendency using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), measure of minimal oxygen saturation (SaO₂) percentage and the frequency of apnoea‐hypopnea index (AHI) during sleep. EFs were assessed using five‐question International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) questionnaire. The nocturnal penile rigidity of the patients was evaluated using automated Rigiscan. Results: Patients were subjected to CPAP every night for 3 months. After 3 months of CPAP treatment, the patients showed significant improvements in ESS and recorded much lower SaO₂ percentages compared with their pre‐treatment measures. Moreover, post‐treatment AHIs were significantly lower, compared with pre‐treatment indexes. Post‐treatment evaluation of EFs showed significant improvements. Conclusions: In summary, OSAS in male patients can be considered as an underlying pathogenic factor for later development of ED. Therefore, its treatment can induce significant improvement in patients’ EF. The mechanism underlying ED in patients with OSAS remains unclear. However, nasal CPAP, which is the gold standard in treatment of OSAS patients, and obstruction relieving surgery have been found effective in improving sexual performance and quality of life.     

OSAS 老年患者及合并冠心病患者血管内皮功能的变化

【目的】分析阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OSAS）老年患者及合并冠心病（CHD）患者血管内皮功能的变化。【方法】选取2014年2月至2015年8月本院收治的OSAS患者32例（OSAS组）,另选取同时期我院收治的OSAS合并冠心病患者35例（OSAS合并CHD组）,对两组患者的睡眠呼吸暂停指数（AHI）和氧减饱和指数（ODI）进行监测分析,并测定对比两组患者血管内皮功能相关指标血浆内皮素（ET ）、一氧化氮（NO ）及 ET／NO比值。【结果】与OSAS合并CHD组患者对比,OSAS组患者的ODI、AHI、最低SpO2及平均SpO2均显著降低,差异均具有统计学意义（均 P ＜00．5）;与OSAS合并CHD组对比,OSAS组患者的 ET 及 NO／ET 显著降低, NO水平显著升高,差异有统计学意义（均 P ＜00．5）。【结论】 OSAS合并CHD老年患者存在明显的血管内皮功能障碍,对OSAS老年及合并CHD患者应关注血管内皮功能障碍的影响。     

Polysomnography in hypnic headache syndrome

Hyponic headache syndrome is an unusual chronic headache that usually begins after age 60 years and occurs exclusively during sleep. Despite the relationship between the headache and sleep, no formal sleep evaluation with overnight polysomnography has been reported for this syndrome. Three patients with long-standing hypnic headache underwent overnight polysomnography. The results were quite variable, ranging from normal to marked sleep insufficiency. A hypnic headache was captured in one patient arising out of rapid eye movement sleep at a time of severe oxygen desaturation. Formal sleep evaluation should be considered in patients with hypnic headache because there may be pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications.     

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Habitual Snorers

We studied nocturnal and early morning variations in the concentration of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in 17 men who habitually snored. The subjects had a mean age of 51.0 ± 5.8 years, range 41–62 y with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 32.9 ± 7.3 kg/m². The concentration of plasma ANP was measured by radio-immunoassay of venous samples at 10 p.m., midnight, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. All night sleep recordings were conducted with the static charge sensitive bed to monitor body and breathing movements and a BIOX III Pulse Oximeter for the blood oxygen saturation level.

Nine patients were defined as having the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). No significant diurnal variation for ANP concentrations was detected. At 8 a.m. five OSAS patients and two others had ANP concentrations above normal (70 pg/ml). Neither mean oxygen saturation during the night nor arterial hypertension discriminated between the high and low ANP groups at 8 a.m. The best discriminators for a high concentration of ANP at 8 p.m. were marked obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²), over 400 movements lasting less than five seconds, and over 30% of active sleep per night. In a multivariate regression analysis age, percentage of active sleep during the night, BMI and the median oxygen saturation level during the night explained 76.4% of the total variance of ANP at 8 a.m. In a similar analysis the median oxygen saturation level during the night and BMI both explained the variance of ANP significantly. The whole model explained 53.7% of the variance of the ANP concentrations at 6 a.m. Our results show that heavy snorers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may have high concentrations of ANP. This emphasises the importance of taking the snoring and sleeping history of patients with high concentrations of ANP levels.     

Autonomic cardiovascular regulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a study based on spectral analysis of heart rate variability

The aim of this study was to assess the function of the autonomic nervous system in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The study was designed as a cross‐sectional case–control study. Fifty‐one patients were included, and the findings were compared with those in 66 controls. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) during supine rest, during controlled breathing and after tilting was performed in each patient and control case. The patients performed overnight sleep recordings the night before the HRV recordings. Individuals with an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) above 20 were regarded as OSAS patients and those with AHI lower than 20 as snorers. Differences in HRV and blood pressure between patients and controls were analysed by multiple linear regression with age, body mass index and sex as independent variables. During free and controlled breathing there was a significant decrease in indices reflecting vagal modulation, indicating parasympathetic dysfunction in OSAS patients compared with controls. The mid‐frequency component was also significantly reduced in OSAS patients after tilting but not in the lying position. This may be related to the parasympathetic dysfunction, but could also indicate a decreased sympathetic reserve capacity. We found no significant relation between AHI and indices of vagal modulation in the patient group. Our findings show an autonomic dysfunction in patients with OSAS. The dysfunction involves the parasympathetic system, and may be related to the increased cardiovascular mortality and malignant arrhythmia described in OSAS.