Incidence of sleep disorders in a simple of down syndrome patients

Abstract

Introduction Down syndrome is the most common congenital disease in new born babies. The face abnormalities, mental retardation and sleep disorders are the most common and persistent affectation in such population. Our study has aimed to evaluate the prevalence of different sleep disorders in a sample of Down syndrome patients belonging to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Madrid (FSDM). Materials and methods We send to the FSDM a total of 325 sleep questionnaire that the FSDM distributed among the families. Once completed by the families there were returned to us for evaluation. From a total of 172 questionnairies received, we have reviewed 119: 88 have been diagnosed and treated, 31 have been reviewed and are waiting for polysomnography, 36 have not yet been reviewed ( impossible to locate, not be able to come yet), 16 didn’t want to participate in the study and 1 missing. Results At this moment, with 88 patients reviewed and diagnosed, our study confirms a high incidence of obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (58.96%) from moderate to severe in Down population, in accordance with previous studies. Also a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (55.44%), bruxism (13.2%), primary snoring (14.96%), restless legs syndrome (2.64%), and narcolepsy (2.64%). Conclusion Incidence of sleep disorders is high between Down syndrome. There is also comorbidity of at least two sleep disorders in near 100% of the cases studied. It should be very important an early diagnosis and effective treatment of those sleep disorders to prevent a greater cognitive dysfunction. As we think the incidence of narcolepsy could be higher in Down syndrome than in normal population. Larger samples side are needed to confirm this preliminary results. Acknowledgement The authors would like to thanks the FSDM for his support and collaboration.