Complex Sleep Apnea: It Really Is a Disease

Complex sleep apnea: it really is a disease.

403 I f failing to recognize the disease complex sleep apnea (CompSA) as a unique entity results in adverse health events to a patient, then a disservice is done and suffering ensues. It must be conceded that ultimately, the only thing that matters is what best serves the patient. There is no argument that one can lump or split a description of any disease process as long as you get to the fact...

Complex sleep apnea: it isn't really a disease.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome: is it a unique clinical syndrome?

STUDY OBJECTIVES Some patients with apparent obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) have elimination of obstructive events but emergence of problematic central apneas or Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern. Patients with this sleep-disordered breathing problem, which for the sake of study we call the "complex sleep apnea syndrome," are not well characterized. We sought to determine the p...

Is Apnea-Hypopnea Index a proper measure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea severity?

Is it mild obstructive sleep apnea?

A 63-year-old woman was referred to the sleep center complaining of daytime sleepiness, snoring, and insomnia. She was single and never married but, on a recent business trip, was noted by a colleague to snore loudly. There was no report of witnessed apnea. She slept 8 to 8.5 hours per night but complained of daytime drowsiness and mental fogginess, particularly in the afternoons. She occasiona...