N Stasche1, B Lüer-Groel, H Schmidt, M Bärmann. 1. Schlafmedizinisches Zentrum der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Westpfalz-Klinikum Kaiserslautern. nstasche@westpfalz-klinikum.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted cardiopulmonary polysomnography is generally required to differentiate common snoring from serious sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) such as sleep apnea. METHODS: This study investigates data from 2,683 diagnostic and therapeutic cardiopulmonary polysomnographies of 1,087 patients over the period 2003-2004. Indications and efficacy of therapy using positive airway pressure (PAP) in SRBD are analyzed as well as alternative procedures. RESULTS: Of the 1,087 patients, 260 (23.9%) needed PAP therapy. In 61% of the patients CPAP-therapy was applied, 19% needed Bi-PAP-ST and 10% Bi-PAP-S-therapy. A total of 91 patients (8.4%) were treated with alternative procedures, partially combined with positive airway pressure. In 760 patients (69.9%) PAP-therapy was controlled or SRBD was excluded. CONCLUSION: There are no generally accepted guidelines for the therapy of SRBD. Indications for conservative and/or surgical procedures in the treatment have to be determined individually, depending on polysomnographic findings, subjective discomfort and physical comorbidities of the patients.
BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted cardiopulmonary polysomnography is generally required to differentiate common snoring from serious sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) such as sleep apnea. METHODS: This study investigates data from 2,683 diagnostic and therapeutic cardiopulmonary polysomnographies of 1,087 patients over the period 2003-2004. Indications and efficacy of therapy using positive airway pressure (PAP) in SRBD are analyzed as well as alternative procedures. RESULTS: Of the 1,087 patients, 260 (23.9%) needed PAP therapy. In 61% of the patients CPAP-therapy was applied, 19% needed Bi-PAP-ST and 10% Bi-PAP-S-therapy. A total of 91 patients (8.4%) were treated with alternative procedures, partially combined with positive airway pressure. In 760 patients (69.9%) PAP-therapy was controlled or SRBD was excluded. CONCLUSION: There are no generally accepted guidelines for the therapy of SRBD. Indications for conservative and/or surgical procedures in the treatment have to be determined individually, depending on polysomnographic findings, subjective discomfort and physical comorbidities of the patients.
Authors: N Meslier; T Lebrun; V Grillier-Lanoir; N Rolland; C Henderick; J C Sailly; J L Racineux Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 1998-07 Impact factor: 16.671