Abstract:

Objective · To investigate the changes in pulmonary function for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods · Snoring patients who reached severe OSAHS by whole night polysomnogram (PSG) monitoring were enrolled and volunteers with normal PSG results were selected as controls. Both groups underwent pulmonary function tests. Research indexes included FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, ratio of TLC measured value to predicted value, ratio of PEF50 measured value to predicted value, ratio of MMEF measured value to predicted value, ratio of R5 measured value to predicted value, and ratio of DLCO measured value to predicted value. The differences in indexes between two groups were compared. Results · The differences in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, ratio of TLC measured value to predicted value, ratio of DLCO measured value to predicted value, and ratio of R5 measured value to predicted value were not statistically significant. The differences in ratio of MMEF measured value to predicted value (P=0.036) and ratio of PEF50 measured value to predicted value (P=0.043) were statistically significant. Conclusion · Early pulmonary function damage in patients with severe OSAHS is mainly small airway disease. Small airway function should be monitored to avoid further aggravation of pulmonary function.

Key words: severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, pulmonary function, snore