PP.37.12

Abstract

Objective: More than 50% of patients with sleep apnea have hypertension and about 30% of hypertensives have sleep apnea as demonstrated in numerous studies. Aim was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension in patients with sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome in UCC Kragujevac, Serbia. Design and method: Research included 100 patients who underwent polysomnograpic examination in UCC Kragujevac. According to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) all patients were divided into 3 equal groups, 25 patients in each group (AHI 5–15; 15–30 and > 30). Fourth group was a control group with 25 patients without sleep apnea. All patients were evaluated for prior hypertension and antihypertensive therapy. Hypertension was diagnosed using ABPM technique and classified according to the latest guidelines. We investigated separately diurnal, nocturnal and 24 h values of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. All data were statistically analyzed in the SPSS for Windows. Results: Prior hypertension was present in 76% of patients (x2 = 27.04; p = 0.000) in total group, and 62% (x2 = 7.31; p = 0.007) among patients with diagnosed sleep apnea-hypopnea. Mean values were: dSBP 134.13 ± 18.44; nSBP 125.67 ± 20.43; 24hSBP 130.67 ± 18.28; dDBP 83.20 ± 12.16; nDBP 74.31 ± 11.94; 24hDBP 79.69 ± 11.30. the most significant was nocturnal systolic blood pressure which remained high beside antihypertensive therapy (x2 = 4.00; p = 0.046). MAP during 24 h was normal in majority of patients (84%), while PP was significantly high (x2 = 36.00; p = 0.000). Conclusions: We confirmed the previous data showing that hypertension is present in more than a half of patients with sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome. Although majority of patients were using antihypertensive agents nocturnal systolic blood pressure remained high which could be explained with subdosing or inadequate treatment, lack of evening therapy and the influence of apneic episodes on the rise of blood pressure.