Apnea del sueño en individuos de edad avanzada. Actividad asistencial (2002–2008) en España / Sleep Apnoea in Patients of Elderly: Care Activity in Spain (2002–2008)

Introducción y objetivoExiste una importante falta de evidencia científica sobre el papel del SAHS en edades avanzadas a pesar del envejecimiento progresivo de la población. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el panorama asistencial actual en nuestro país sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del SAHS en individuos ≥65 años y su evolución a lo largo de los últimos años.Material y métodoEstudio de corte trasversal. Fue recogida información asistencial sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con sospecha de SAHS de ambos sexos con ≥65 años remitidos a las unidades de sueño (US) entre 2002 y 2008.ResultadosFueron incluidos 51.229 estudios de sueño de 16 US. El 24,3% de los estudios fue realizado en individuos ≥65 años (64,9% varones), de los que el 71,5% mostró un IAH≥10 (68,6% tratados con CPAP). No hubo cambios significativos a lo largo del tiempo en la edad media, IAH medio o porcentaje de estudios realizados. Se observo una disminución significativa en el número de CPAP prescritas en varones ≥65 años desde 2002 al 2005 (p=0,01) que aumentó posteriormente hasta 2008 (p=0,01). Este fenómeno no fue observado en mujeres ≥65 años.ConclusiónA pesar de la escasa evidencia científica sobre el tema, la actividad asistencial por sospecha de SAHS en individuos de edades avanzadas es intensa por lo que se hace prioritaria la puesta en marcha de estudios clínicos que den respuesta a preguntas clave sobre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del SAHS en esta franja de edad(AU)

Introduction and objectiveThere is a significant lack of scientific evidence on the role of SAHS in the elderly despite the increasing ageing of the population. The objective of the present study is to analyse the current healthcare situation in Spain on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the population ≥65 years and its progress over the last few years.Material and methodCross-sectional study. Healthcare information was collected on the diagnosis and treatment of patients of both sexes and ≥65 years suspected with having SAHS and referred to sleep units (SU) between 2002 and 2008.ResultsThere were 51,229 sleep studies performed in 16 SU. Of these, 24.3% were performed on subjects ≥ 65 years (64.9% males), of which 71.5% had an AHI (apnoea-hypopnoea index) >10 (68.6% treated with CPAP). There were no differences over time as regards mean age, mean AHI or percentage of studies done. A significant decrease was observed in the number of CPAP prescribed to males ≥65 years from 2002 to 2005 (p=0.01) which subsequently increased up to 2008 (p=0.01). This phenomenon was not observed in women ≥65 years.ConclusionDespite the lack of evidence on the subject, healthcare activity due to suspected SAHS in the elderly population is intense, therefore it should be a priority to start clinical studies that may be able to answer key questions on the diagnosis and treatment of SAHS in this age group(AU)

[Sleep apnoea in patients of elderly: care activity in Spain (2002-2008)]. / Apnea del sueño en individuos de edad avanzada. Actividad asistencial (2002-2008) en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: There is a significant lack of scientific evidence on the role of SAHS in the elderly despite the increasing ageing of the population. The objective of the present study is to analyse the current healthcare situation in Spain on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the population ≥65 years and its progress over the last few years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study. Healthcare information was collected on the diagnosis and treatment of patients of both sexes and ≥65 years suspected with having SAHS and referred to sleep units (SU) between 2002 and 2008. RESULTS: There were 51,229 sleep studies performed in 16 SU. Of these, 24.3% were performed on subjects ≥ 65 years (64.9% males), of which 71.5% had an AHI (apnoea-hypopnoea index) >10 (68.6% treated with CPAP). There were no differences over time as regards mean age, mean AHI or percentage of studies done. A significant decrease was observed in the number of CPAP prescribed to males ≥65 years from 2002 to 2005 (p=0.01) which subsequently increased up to 2008 (p=0.01). This phenomenon was not observed in women ≥65 years. CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of evidence on the subject, healthcare activity due to suspected SAHS in the elderly population is intense, therefore it should be a priority to start clinical studies that may be able to answer key questions on the diagnosis and treatment of SAHS in this age group.