DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i06.043

Pages: 2074-2083

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a major public health problem, largely unrecognized and undiagnosed. As there is paucity of data regarding the disease in India, this study was conducted to study the typical clinical features, mode of presentation, physical findings that help to identify patients with obstructive sleep apnea, documentation of associated risk factors and co- morbid conditions and to study polysomnography features. In our prospective, noninterventional study, we randomly assigned patients suspected with OSA and underwent polysomnography. Their clinical data was analysed. A total of 50 patients completed the study. The ages of patients ranged from 30-75 years, majority was in the age group 50-59 years. Males were predominant with male to female ratio of 4:1. The commonest clinical features were loud snoring (100%), excessive daytime sleeping (EDS) (90%), chokings (86%), irresistible sleep attacks (78%) and tiredness on waking (70%). All patients were found to be obese. On polysomnography test it was found majority of the patients had severe OSA. CPAP therapy lowered blood pressure and partially reversed metabolic abnormalities. Very few studies have been reported in India, which reveals lack of awareness of the disorder. It has considerable effect on patients with increased risk of other diseases. Quality of life, morbidity and mortality can be improved by effective treatment. Awareness of the disorder, pretest clinical preditors and establishment of more sleep lab centres in India will improve the situation.