Emotional Stress Evaluation of Patients with Moderate and Severe Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract Introduction The scientific literature has shown that the damage caused by sleep fragmentation in people affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can reflect emotionally, generating not only physical symptoms such as drowsiness and tiredness, but also psychical symptoms, such as stress. Objective This study aimed at comparing symptoms of stress in patients with moderate or severe OSA, before and after twomonths of treatment (clinical or surgical). Method This is an Individual, prospective, longitudinal, and interventional study. All patients underwent polysomnography before treatment.We collected data through the application of Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults Lipp (ISSL) before and after two months of medical or surgical treatment for moderate or severe OSA. Results The sample consisted of 18 patients (72.2% male) with a mean age of 51.83 years. We found that 77.8% (n = 14) of patients had stress in the first evaluation. In the second evaluation (after treatment), this reduced to 16.7% (n = 3). The average stress symptoms decreased from the first to the second evaluation (M = 13.78 andM = 6.17, respectively), being statistically significant (z = -3.53; p < 0.000). Conclusions We found that moderate and severe apnea patients have significant stress index and that, after two months of medical or surgical treatment, there is a significant reduction of the symptom. In addition, the patients with severe OSA had a better outcome regarding the reduction of stress index than patients with moderate OSA.

Epidemiologic Profile of Patients with Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a University Hospital

Introduction: There are several studies on the pathophysiology and prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), however, few studies address the epidemiological profile of these patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with OSAS referred to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Methods: Cross-sectional individualized study covering 57 patients who were referred from the general ENT clinic to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Results: Classification of OSAS: 16% had primary snoring, 14% mild OSAS, 18% moderate OSAS, and 52% severe OSAS. Distribution according to weight: 7% had normal weight, 2% were overweight (BMI 2530), 37% grade I obesity (BMI 25.1 to 30); 9% grade II obesity (BMI 30.1 to 35) and grade III obesity (BMI greater than 35) in 45% of cases. Distribution Friedmann stage: 9% were classified as grade I, 35% were considered grade II, 54% as grade III and 2% as grade IV. Treatment adopted: 46% were treated with CPAP; 19% were treated with surgery; oral appliance was designed for 14% patients, 7% were given roncoplastic injection and 7% positional therapy. A new polysomnography was asked to 5% of patients. To 2% of patients given the oral appliance was due to treatment failure with roncoplastic injection. Conclusion: Most of the patients are male, obese and with moderate or severe OSAS. Snoring and daytime excessive sleepiness were the most common symptoms. The surgical procedures employed in this service (roncoplastic injection, UPPP and lateral pharyngoplasty) followed the recommendations of the available literature...