Prevalence of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome: syndrome Z and maxillofacial surgery implications.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of the recently identified syndrome Z (SZ), which is the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; hypoxia, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, nocturnal arrhythmias) and metabolic syndrome (MetS; increased abdominal girth, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein, hypertension, increased fasting glucose), which places the surgical patient at heightened risk of perioperative complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, pneumonia, wound infection). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic medical records of 296 male veterans were assessed for the presence of SZ using the American Academy of Sleep Medicine definition of OSA and a modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition of MetS, where obesity was defined by a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m(2) rather than by waist circumference. RESULTS: SZ was diagnosed in 59% of patients. These individuals commonly exhibited severe OSA and least commonly mild OSA. The more severe the OSA, the more likely (60%) that patients manifested moderate (4 risk markers) or severe (5 risk markers) MetS. Furthermore, with increasing apnea-hypopnea index values, the more severe were the MetS elements. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence rate of MetS in patients with OSA seeking treatment. Given the risk of perioperative complications, it is suggested that all patients scheduled for maxillofacial surgical procedures to treat OSA be evaluated for SZ.

Clinical control in the dual diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and rhinitis: a prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are common coexisting disorders. Upper airway, specifically nasal resistance, is thought to increase during exacerbations of AR and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), as well as in OSAS. The study objective was to determine if a correlation exists between clinical control of rhinitis and OSAS. METHODS: This prospective study followed 43 patients with concurrent OSAS and AR or NAR. OSAS was diagnosed by polysomnography, and AR or NAR was diagnosed by history, skin testing, serum-specific IgE, and total IgE levels. Measurements of control of OSAS included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) survey and compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. Measurements of rhinitis control included Assessment of Nasal Symptom Severity and Assessment of Nonnasal Symptom Severity (NSS refers to both) and Global Assessment of Nasal and Nonnasal Symptom Severity surveys (GSS). Higher NSS scores correlate with more rhinitis symptoms, whereas higher GSS scores correlate with less symptoms. RESULTS: All patients completed the study. There was a positive correlation between ESS and NSS scores (p < 0.001), inverse correlation between ESS and GSS scores (p < 0.001), inverse correlation between CPAP compliance and NSS scores (p < 0.001), and positive correlation between CPAP compliance and GSS scores (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the AR, NAR, and AR/NAR groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a statistically significant positive correlation between clinical control of rhinitis symptoms and clinical control of OSAS. This study emphasizes the importance of achieving concurrent optimal control of both OSAS and AR/NAR.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: evaluation with positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease remains under investigation, but may be related to increased inflammatory or cellular activity. This activity may be detectable with physiologic imaging. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the role of physiologic imaging using (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scans in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: Seven male patients with histologically confirmed IPF underwent (18)FDG-PET scans. Scans were analyzed qualitatively and interpreted as positive or negative. Patients also underwent pulmonary function tests and computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: The average total lung capacity was 71 +/- 22% predicted (mean +/- SD) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was 44 +/- 14% predicted. All had changes consistent with IPF on chest CT and 2 patients had ground glass attenuation. Six of seven patients (86%) had a positive (18)FDG-PET scan. Changes in the (18)FDG-PET scan were seen in 1 patient corresponding to changes in clinical status. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that (18)FDG-PET scans may be helpful in the evaluation of IPF. Increased activity suggests active disease and changes in response to therapy.

Pulmonary hypertension in men with thyrotoxicosis.

Thyrotoxicosis has a myriad of respiratory symptoms including dyspnea. Pulmonary hypertension may contribute to the respiratory symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, but is often unrecognized. We describe 3 male patients with thyrotoxicosis and associated pulmonary hypertension. Case reports of an additional 15 patients are also reviewed. In patients with thyrotoxicosis and pulmonary hypertension, treatment of thyrotoxicosis alone is associated with improvement in pulmonary hypertension. Previous reports have consisted of mostly female patients, but we report 3 men. When all cases are considered, the typical patient is female (10/14 = 71%), middle-aged (48 years), with mean pulmonary artery systolic pressures improving from 56 to 32 mm Hg with treatment. Autoantibodies were detected in 10/14 (71%) patients. The response to treatment (medical or surgical) of thyrotoxicosis supports the hypothesis that hyperthyroidism is either a cause of pulmonary hypertension, or a factor that may unmask pulmonary hypertension. Recognition is important since treatment and response are very different compared to other patients with pulmonary hypertension. This association may not be readily considered in men, since most reports have been of women.