Cerebrovascular Correlates of Sleep Disorders—Rational and Protocol of a Door-to-Door Survey in Rural Coastal Ecuador

Abstract

Little is known on the role of sleep disorders in the increased prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases in the developing world. The aim of thisstudy is to assess the prevalence of major sleep disorders in a rural South American population and to determine whether these conditions are associated with stroke, ischemic heart disease, or with a poor cardiovascular health (CVH). Three-phase, population-based, door-to-door survey in Atahualpa. During phase I, all residents aged 40years or older will be screened with validated Spanish versions of 5 questionnaires to evaluate major sleep disorders. In phase II, neurologists will examine persons suspected of having a sleep disorder and a random sample of negative individuals to assess the prevalence of these conditions and to validate the accuracy of questionnaires. In phase III, patients with a confirmed sleep disorder will undergo nocturnal polysomnography for achieving a more specific diagnosis. The occurrence of sleep disorders will be correlated with the CVH of the population and with the presence of stroke and ischemic heart disease. This epidemiologic study may prove cost-effective in improving sleep conditions of people living in rural areas of developing countries and may be used as a model for the evaluation of sleep disorders and their cerebrovascular correlates in thesepopulations.