OBJECTIVE: Although the autonomic nervous system plays a key role in mediating cardiovascular changes during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity during sleep apnea has not yet been sufficiently investigated. This study is to discuss the relationship between PNS activity and OSA. METHODS: Polysomnography recording was carried out in 76 patients (71 male and 5 female) with OSA. Cumulative PNS activity during sleep for each patient was derived from time series data of electrocardiogram (ECG) and analyzed by coarse graining spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The correlation between cumulative PNS activity and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was then discussed. RESULTS: Cumulative PNS activity and PNS peaks during sleep were lowly but significantly correlated with OSA severity (r=-0.344, p<0.005; and r=-0.266, p<0.05 respectively), and a linear regression equation could be established. Furthermore, significant correlation was also observed in the adult groups and in the moderate and severe groups, but not in the juvenile and the elderly and mild groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that PNS function was obviously influenced by OSA during sleep. Cumulative PNS activity level might also serve as a useful parameter for the evaluation of OSA.
OBJECTIVE: Although the autonomic nervous system plays a key role in mediating cardiovascular changes during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity during sleep apnea has not yet been sufficiently investigated. This study is to discuss the relationship between PNS activity and OSA. METHODS: Polysomnography recording was carried out in 76 patients (71 male and 5 female) with OSA. Cumulative PNS activity during sleep for each patient was derived from time series data of electrocardiogram (ECG) and analyzed by coarse graining spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The correlation between cumulative PNS activity and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was then discussed. RESULTS: Cumulative PNS activity and PNS peaks during sleep were lowly but significantly correlated with OSA severity (r=-0.344, p<0.005; and r=-0.266, p<0.05 respectively), and a linear regression equation could be established. Furthermore, significant correlation was also observed in the adult groups and in the moderate and severe groups, but not in the juvenile and the elderly and mild groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that PNS function was obviously influenced by OSA during sleep. Cumulative PNS activity level might also serve as a useful parameter for the evaluation of OSA.
Authors: Marilisa Montesano; Silvia Miano; Maria Chiara Paolino; Anna Claudia Massolo; Filomena Ianniello; Martina Forlani; Maria Pia Villa Journal: Sleep Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Ernesto Kufoy; Jose-Alberto Palma; Jon Lopez; Manuel Alegre; Elena Urrestarazu; Julio Artieda; Jorge Iriarte Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-03-16 Impact factor: 3.240