Evolution of sleep apnea syndrome in sleepy snorers - A population-based prospective study

This study followed a small number of men previously studied polysomnograph ically 10 yr earlier to investigate the relationship between the developmen t of sleep-disordered breathing and age, weight gain, and smoking. In 1984, 3,201 men answered a questionnaire including questions about snoring and e xcessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Of those reporting symptoms related to o bstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a random sample of 61 men was inves tigated using whole-night polysomnography in 1985. Ten years later, 38 men participated in the present follow-up, which included a structured intervie w and polysomnography. During the 10-yr period, nine men had been treated f or OSAS. Of the 29 untreated subjects, the number of men with OSAS, defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of greater than or equal to 5/h, increase d from four in 1985 to 13 in 1995 (p < 0.01). In this small sample, no sign ificant associations were found between Delta AHI (i.e., AHI 1995 - AHI 198 5) and age, weight gain, or smoking. We conclude that, among this small gro up of individuals who were selected for original polysomnographic study and follow-up because they were thought to have symptoms of sleep apnea, sleep -disordered breathing became significantly worse over time.