Materials and Method: Seven hundred and six OSAS patients (≥18 years), 107(15.2%) of whom were in the geriatric group were included in the study. Their demographic, anthropometric, polysomnographic characteristics and comorbidities were compared with the OSAS patients <65 years of age.
Results: Sixty-two (57.9%) of the geriatric patients were male. Mean age was 72±6years (range:65-89) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 37.02±22.46/h. Geriatric patients had significantly higher AHI, lower sleep efficiency, shorter deep sleep and REM periods, longer REM latency, lower basal/minimum/average oxygen saturations and longer <90% oxygen desaturation/apnea/hypopnea durations when compared to the younger age group. In the geriatric group, comorbidities were more frequent than the younger group. When independent risk factors were investigated with regard to comorbidities in OSAS; age, male gender, severity of OSAS and oxygen desaturation duration were found to affect the presence of coronary artery disease.
Conclusion: In geriatric OSAS patients, severe OSAS and comorbidities were more frequent than those <65 years of age. Especially in geriatric patients with coronary artery disease, presence of OSAS should be considered as a factor that affects morbidity and mortality.
Keywords : Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Geriatrics; Polysomnography; Coronary Artery Disease; Comorbidity