ABSTRACT
Abstract: COPD and the OSAHS are both common diseases affecting respectively 10% and 5% of the adult population over 40 years of age. Their coexistence, which is denominated as "overlap syndrome", can occur in about 0.5% of this population
Aim and materials: To assess the existence of a prevalence of OSAHS in patients with COPD through a prospective analysis: 70 had a confirmed isolated OSAHS [group A] and 11 had an OS [group B], all were compiled from January 2007 to June 2012
Results: The prevalence of OS in our study was 13.6%, OS patients were older than the isolated OSAHS patients [p < 0.05] with a male predominance in the Overlap arm [p < 0.05], and BMI was similar between the 2 groups [p = 0.22]. Tobacco is retained as a risk factor and 81.8% of patients with Overlap were smoking [p < 0.05]. Clinical signs most reported are nocturnal snoring and daytime sleepiness. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was higher than 10 in the 2 groups [p < 0.05]. The Berlin questionnaire realized in 30 subjects in group A, was positive [40% of cases] and was positive in 63.6% of 7 subjects in group B. Spirometry showed that vital capacity, FEV1 and FEV1/CV were significantly decreased in the Overlap group [p < 0.001]. The recording shows a sleep apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] similar in the two groups [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: There was no correlation between COPD and OSAHS. The latter is a risk factor for the first