Markus Bleckwenn1, Dagmar Linnenkamp2, Klaus Weckbecker3, Marie-Therese Puth2,4, Selçuk Tasci5. 1. Institut für Hausarztmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland. markus.bleckwenn@ukbonn.de. 2. Institut für Hausarztmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland. 3. Institut für Allgemeinmedizin (ifam), Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland. 4. Institut für Medizinische Biometrie, Informatik und Epidemiologie (IMBIE), Universität Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland. 5. Abteilung für Innere Medizin und Lungenmedizin, HELIOS Klinikum Siegburg, Siegburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is significantly increased in patients with hypertension. In addition, OSA appears to be an independent cardiovascular risk factor. So far, sleep apnea screening is only recommended for patients with refractory hypertension and history of OSA. Therefore, OSA often remains undiagnosed in hypertensive patients. The underlying prevalence data are mainly from outpatient hypertension clinics. Data on the prevalence of OSA in patients with hypertension in primary care are not yet available. Due to the cardiovascular risk, some experts recommend screening for OSA when high blood pressure is diagnosed. The study presented here describes for the first time the prevalence of OSA in GP patients immediately after the initial diagnosis of hypertension. METHOD: 6 family practices participated in the study between December 2012 and April 2014. Cardiorespiratory polygraphy was performed on all patients diagnosed with hypertension during this period using a 24-hour blood pressure monitor (ABPM). A sleep physician evaluated the polygraphy data online. RESULTS: 50 patients were recruited, 6 patients did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, the data of 44 patients (19 women) were analyzed. An obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in 34% (n = 15) of the patients. 16% (n = 7) had a mild OSA, 16% (n = 7) a moderate OSA and 2% (n = 1) a severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS: In a relevant proportion of patients with newly diagnosed hypertension, an undiagnosed OSA was found. In order to estimate the possible effects of sleep apnea screening on hypertension patients, representative studies in the primary medical field are required.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is significantly increased in patients with hypertension. In addition, OSA appears to be an independent cardiovascular risk factor. So far, sleep apnea screening is only recommended for patients with refractory hypertension and history of OSA. Therefore, OSA often remains undiagnosed in hypertensivepatients. The underlying prevalence data are mainly from outpatienthypertension clinics. Data on the prevalence of OSA in patients with hypertension in primary care are not yet available. Due to the cardiovascular risk, some experts recommend screening for OSA when high blood pressure is diagnosed. The study presented here describes for the first time the prevalence of OSA in GP patients immediately after the initial diagnosis of hypertension. METHOD: 6 family practices participated in the study between December 2012 and April 2014. Cardiorespiratory polygraphy was performed on all patients diagnosed with hypertension during this period using a 24-hour blood pressure monitor (ABPM). A sleep physician evaluated the polygraphy data online. RESULTS: 50 patients were recruited, 6 patients did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, the data of 44 patients (19 women) were analyzed. An obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in 34% (n = 15) of the patients. 16% (n = 7) had a mild OSA, 16% (n = 7) a moderate OSA and 2% (n = 1) a severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS: In a relevant proportion of patients with newly diagnosed hypertension, an undiagnosed OSA was found. In order to estimate the possible effects of sleep apnea screening on hypertensionpatients, representative studies in the primary medical field are required.