Evaluation of comorbid diseases in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: It is known that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome affects many systems due to hypoxemia and hypercarbia. We aimed to demonstrate with the utilization of well-standardized questionnaire tools and electrophysiological tests that cognitive impairment, depression, autonomic dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome may occur in association with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. METHODS: The electrophysiological examination protocol of autonomic nervous system functions was performed with sympathetic skin response and R-R Interval. Patients were administered Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale by physicians in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: This study included 148 participants, consisting of 73 patients and 75 controls. There was a statistically significant difference between the patient group and control group with regard to sympathetic skin response, R-R Interval, post-hyperventilation R-R Interval, and R-R Interval variation (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed between the patient group and control group in terms of median Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. It was observed that the control group achieved significantly better scores than the patient group in delayed recall (p<0.001) and language (p<0.05) categories. CONCLUSION: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients should be screened for diseases, especially in the cardiovascular system, that cause serious morbidity and impair functionality such as dementia and depression. We believe that many comorbid diseases encountered in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients can be prevented with early diagnosis and continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Electromagnetic waves of 900 MHz in acute pentylenetetrazole model in ontogenesis in mice.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of electromagnetic waves (EMW) at 900 MHz. EMW were produced by a signal generator and were administered to mice via an antenna. The frequency of the waves was tested by a spectrum analyser and a frequency-meter. The emitted power was 0.25 mW. A total of 117 mice (59 prepubertal and 58 adult) was used. Mice were exposed to EMW or sham radiation for 2 h and 20 h before an injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). A statistically significant difference was found between the latency measurements within 20 h for prepubertal mice in stages 1 and 2 ( p<0.05). The effects on prepubertal mice of long-term 900 MHz EMW in a PTZ model may be an indication of possible problems in developing brains.

[Effect of levodopa therapy on visual evoked potentials and visual acuity in amblyopia]. / Der Effekt der Llevodopatherapie auf das visuell evozierte Potential und die Sehschärfe in der Amblyopie.

Amblyopia represents the most common form of visual impairment in children, affecting approximately 2% of the population. To determine the efficacy of the dopamine agonist levodopa for childhood amblyopia, a double-masked, placebo-controlled randomised study was performed on 32 amblyopic children with central fixation between 4 and 17 years. Subjects received 2 mg/kg levodopa benzeraside or placebo 3 times per day over a 1 week period. Estimates of visual acuity for each eye (Snellen visual acuity) were obtained, and pattern-shift visually evoked potentials (VEP) were examined by an opthalmologist and a neurologist. At the end of dosing regimens, the levodopa group was significantly improved in visual acuity by 1.4 lines and pattern VEP amplitudes. No changes could be detected after placebo administration. One week after the termination of the treatment, Snellen line acuity and pattern VEP amplitude were decreased to pretreatment levels. The transient effect of levodopa points to a long-term treatment with the substance. Our results should therefore encourage further long-term clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of levodopa in amblyopia.

Surface stimulation single-fiber electromyography.

Stimulation single-fiber electromyography (S-SFEMG) is an alternative method to SFEMG during voluntary contraction (VC-SFEMG). S-SFEMG is preferred to VC-SFEMG in uncooperating patients, children, and patients having severe weakness. Surface stimulation is a viable alternative to needle stimulation in S-SFEMG. In the present study, surface versus needle stimulation of facial nerve has been tested by recording from the orbicularis oculi and frontalis muscles. Jitter values obtained by both methods have been found to be nearly equal.