Polisomographic Investigation of Sleep Disorders in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and Evaluation of the Effect on the Prognosis

Abstract

objective:: The aim of this study is to identify sleep disorders in adults with sickle cell disease and to examine the effects of accompanying sleep disorders on the prognosis of sickle cell disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:: Twenty-eight patients followed up with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease and 22 healthy volunteers were included in our study.

Results:: Both groups had similar characteristics in terms of age, gender, and body mass index. More obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was detected in the sickle cell group than in healthy volunteers. Statistically, the sickle cell patient group had higher apnea–hypopnea index and lower nighttime oxygen desaturation. As the degree of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome increased in the sickle cell group, it was found that there were more emergency admissions and hospitalization due to painful crises and/or acute chest syndrome in the last 1 year. Also, lower sleep efficiency was found in the sickle cell disease patient group. In the sickle cell group, it was found that the restless leg syndrome severity was statistically significantly more.

Conclusion:: As hypoxia deepens in sickle cell patients, mortality and morbidity due to the disease increase significantly. Comorbid sleep disturbances in sickle cell patients exacerbate nocturnal hypoxia and negatively affect the prognosis of the disease. Therefore, patients with sickle cell disease should be questioned in detail in terms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and, if necessary, polysomnographic evaluation should be performed to provide treatment for sleep disorders in the early period.

Figure 1.

A. Scatter plots graph of the correlation between AHI and hospitalizations. B. Scatter plots graph of the correlation between AHI and the number of admissions to the hospital in the last 1 year due to attack. AHI, apnea–hypopnea index.