Work

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Healthy Aged Persons: Two- and Three-Year Follow-Up

Year: 1994

Type: article

Abstract: We report the results of a study of the effects of sleep-disordered breathing in a cohort of healthy elderly subjects followed longitudinally for 3 years. In a comprehensive evaluation of daytime functioning, including medical history and physical examination, pulmonary function testing and neuropsychiatric testing, we found very little difference in the neuropsychiatric or medical sequelae between those subjects with moderate [apnea+hypopnea index (AHI) > or = 5] and low (AHI < 5) levels of sleep-disordered breathing at baseline. Although there were no differences in the electrocardiogram, pulse rate or cardiac history data, a mild association was found between indices of sleep-disordered breathing and pulmonary function. We conclude that moderate levels of sleep-disordered breathing in an otherwise asymptomatic healthy geriatric patient should probably not be considered pathologic in the short term.

Source: SLEEP

DOI: 10.1093/sleep/17.5.411

Authors: Barbara A. Phillips, David T. R. Berry, Frederick A. Schmitt, Lynn Harbison, Tanja Lipke-Molby

Institution: University of Kentucky

Language: English

Topic: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Kentucky, National Institutes of Health