Résumé
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many reports have been made regarding the association between snoring and sleep apnea with systemic diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate and analyze the prevalence of such associated diseases in Korean patients with snoring and sleep apnea diagnosed by polysomnography. MARERIALS AND METHODS: 462 Korean patients (395 males and 67 female, aged 6 to 75) on whom polysomnography were performed were included in this study. Retrospective review of the medical records of these patients was done and the prevalence of the associated diseases were surveyed according to severity of respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and minimal O2 saturation (Min. SaO2). RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 31.2% and it was correlated with severity of RDI. The prevalence of ischemic heart disease was 9.3% and it was associated with the severity of RDI and Min. SaO2. Endocrine diseases with the exception of DM was significantly correlated with the severity of Min. SaO2. The prevalence of chronic pulmonary disease was highly associated in patients with Min. SaO2 <65. CONCLUSION: Snoring and sleep apnea are not simple problems of localized obstruction of an airway but should be considered and managed as generalized diseases involving an array of organs.