GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN PATIENTS WITH SLEEP-APNEA SYNDROME

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may be associated with pulmonary disease s. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GER in patient s with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). We evaluated, therefore, in patient s with SAS the occurrence of GER during,simultaneous apnea monitoring, and whether GER is related to the severity of SAS. Methods: 17 consec utive patients with proven SAS were devided into two groups according to the severity of SAS: (A) apnea index greater than or equal to 5 and < 15, n = 8; (B) apnea index greater than or equal to 15, n = 9. All patients underwent 24 hours pH-metry in the proximal and distal esopha gus and simultaneous apnea monitoring during the night. Results: There was a high occurrence of GER in patients with SAS, but no significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to reflux ti mes at the distal or at the proximal esophageal site. Reflux episodes and apnea periods were not timely correlated. Most of the patients of both groups were obese. Conclusions: Patients with SAS often have GER. However, there is neither a relation of GER with the severity of SAS nor a timely association between GER- and SAS-episodes. Thus, it is un likely that there is a direct link between GER and SAS. However, there may be factors predisposing for both diseases.