Gastroesophageal reflux in patients with sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may be associated with pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GER in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). We evaluated, therefore, in patients with SAS the occurrence of GER during simultaneous apnea monitoring, and whether GER is related to the severity of SAS.

Methods: 17 consecutive patients with proven SAS were divided into two groups according to the severity of SAS: (A) apnea index > or = 5 and < 15, n = 8; (B) apnea index > or = 15, n = 9. All patients underwent 24 hours pH-metry in the proximal and distal esophagus and simultaneous apnea monitoring during the night.

Results: There was a high occurrence of GER in patients with SAS, but no significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to reflux times at the distal or at the proximal esophageal site. Reflux episodes and apnea periods were not timely correlated. Most of the patients of both groups were obese.

Conclusions: Patients with SAS often have GER. However, there is neither a relation of GER with the severity of SAS nor a timely association between GER- and SAS-episodes. Thus, it is unlikely that there is a direct link between GER and SAS. However, there may be factors predisposing for both diseases.