ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: A cohort of 1868 people was screened for OSAS, and followed from November 1989 to November 2009. Annual medical examinations including blood pressure, blood fat, serum glucose, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray were performed. Computer tomography was carried out when CVD, the endpoint of the study, was manifested. RESULTS: Among the 1868 elderly people, 598 (32.0%) were confirmed to have OSAS, including 496 (82.9%) males and 102 (17.1%) females. Compared with the non-OSAS group, patients with OSAS had more symptoms including daytime somnolence, headache, decreased ability of memory, aphronesia and allolalia (P < 0.05). CVD occurred in 276 (46.2%) patients of the OSAS group, but in 150 (11.8%, P < 0.01) subjects of the non-OSAS group. During the 20-year follow-up, 817 people died, 66.2% (396/598) in the OSAS group, but 33.1% (421/1270) in the non-OSAS group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with OSAS are more likely to suffer from CVD. OSAS may be an independent risk factor for CVD.
