Erythropoietin concentrations in obstructive sleep apnoea. |
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Authors: | J. M. Goldman R. M. Ireland M. Berthon-Jones R. R. Grunstein C. E. Sullivan J. C. Biggs |
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Affiliation: | David Read Laboratory, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown NSW, Australia. |
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Abstract: | Eight patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and a normal haemoglobin concentration underwent nocturnal studies during which oxyhaemoglobin saturation was recorded continuously with an ear oximeter and serum erythropoietin concentration was measured hourly by means of a radioimmunoassay. Serum erythropoietin concentrations remained within the normal range throughout the study despite falls in oxyhaemaglobin saturation in individuals to 33-78%. There was no relation between the degree of nocturnal hypoxaemia and serum erythropoietin concentrations. The brief cyclical episodes of hypoxaemia typical of obstructive sleep apnoea may not be a sufficient stimulus for erythropoietin secretion. |
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