Reversal of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in end-stage renal disease afterkidney transplantation

Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is extremely common in patients with e nd-stage renal disease (ESRD), Although the underlying mechanisms linking t hese 2 conditions remain to be better defined, it is likely that multiple f actors are involved. We report an individual with ESRD with severe SANS tha t resolved after kidney transplantation. The improvement in SANS parallelin g the effective treatment of ESRD suggests the pathogenesis involves an uns table breathing pattern, possibly caused by an altered metabolic state, ure mia, and changes in volume status, The possibility that elevations in cytok ine levels could be involved also is discussed and deserves further attenti on. (C) 1999 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.