Obstructive sleep apnea in asthmatic children: a cross-sectional study about prevalence and risk factors

Abstract Objectives: Primary objectives were to analyze the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in (1) boys and girls, and (2) severe asthma versus moderate and mild cases. The authors hypothesized that girls and severe asthma would have a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Cross-sectional evaluation of asthmatic children attending a tertiary Pediatric Pulmonology clinic. The authors performed a history, physical examination, pulmonary function test, and home sleep apnea test. Results: The authors studied 80 consecutive patients, 7-18 years old, mean age of 11.6 years (standard deviation 2.7), 51.3% female, and 18.5% obese. Pulmonary function tests were obtained from 80 volunteers, 45% with obstruction pattern. Home sleep apnea tests were available from 76 volunteers, with a mean obstructive respiratory index of 1.8 events/h. Obstructive sleep apnea was found in 49 volunteers (61.2%). The authors did not find associations between obstructive sleep apnea and sex or asthma severity. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea was frequent among these asthmatic children. Sex and asthma severity were not risk factors. Considering the interrelationship of both diseases, it is worth keeping in mind the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea among children and teenagers with asthma.

Sleep disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome: influence of obesity and hyperandrogenism

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the sleep of subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with and without hyperandrogenism, in comparison with a healthy control group and examine the effects of hyperandrogenism and obesity on sleep parameters. METHODS: A total of 44 volunteers were recruited to participate in the study. Clinical, biochemical and polysomnographic parameters were used to diagnose PCOS and hyperandrogenism. The evaluation of sleep quality was made using validated questionnaires and polysomnography test. The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea was also compared between the groups. RESULTS: The study revealed that women with PCOS presented poorer subjective sleep quality, increased incidence of snoring and a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea, based on the Berlin questionnaire. Also, after adjusting for body mass index, PCOS subjects had rapid eye movement (REM) time lower than those in the control group. PCOS women versus those without hyperandrogenism did not differ on any sleep measurement. Women with obstructive sleep apnea were only diagnosed in the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PCOS impairs subjective sleep quality, as well as objective sleep quality, due to a reduction in REM sleep stage time in women diagnosed with the syndrome. Obesity affected sleep-related parameters but hyperandrogenism had no effect. Only the PCOS group had obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Este estudo objetivou avaliar o sono de mulheres com síndrome do ovário policístico, com e sem hiperandrogenismo, em comparação com um grupo controle saudável, e estudar os efeitos do hiperandrogenismo e da obesidade nos parâmetros do sono. MÉTODOS: Um total de 44 voluntárias foram recrutadas para participar do estudo. Os parâmetros clínicos, bioquímicos e polissonográficos e foram usados para diagnosticar SOP e hiperandrogenismo. A avaliação da qualidade de sono foi feita usando questionários validados e o exame polissonográfico. A frequência de síndrome da apneia obstrutiva também foi comparada entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: O estudo revelou que mulheres com SOP apresentaram menor qualidade de sono subjetiva, incidência aumentada de ronco e maior risco para síndrome da apneia obstrutiva, baseada no questionário de Berlin. Ademais, após o ajuste para índice de massa corpórea, mulheres com SOP tiveram menor tempo de sono REM do que aquelas do grupo controle. Dentre as mulheres com SOP, aquelas com hiperandrogenismo não tiveram diferenças em nenhuma variável do sono. Mulheres com síndrome da apneia obstrutiva foram diagnosticadas no grupo SOP. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados indicam que a SOP afeta a qualidade subjetiva de sono, bem como a qualidade objetiva e do sono, em razão da redução do tempo de sono REM em mulheres diagnosticadas com a síndrome. A obesidade afetou parâmetros relacionados ao sono, mas o hiperandrogenismo não teve efeito. A síndrome da apneia obstrutiva somente foi diagnosticada em mulheres com SOP.