Clinical significance of negative esophageal pressure in sleep apnea syndrome

The authors investigated the relationship between esophageal pressure fluct uation (DPes) during sleep and the following parameters: respiratory disord er variables and daytime sleepiness manifested as the Epworth sleepiness sc ale (ESS). In the younger patient group under 60 years of age (n=33), DPes was correlative to both the apnea-hypopnea index and ESS. However, in the e lderly group of 60 years and over (n = 16), the variables showed smaller va lues than did those in the younger group. These results suggest that DPes m ay be associated with the aggravating process of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the younger patient.