Neven Mahmoud Taha Fouda
Ain Shams University, Egypt
Title: Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Correlation with disease activity and pulmonary function tests
Biography
Biography: Neven Mahmoud Taha Fouda
Abstract
Aim of the work:To assess obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as one of common primary sleep disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its correlation to disease activity and pulmonary function tests. Patients and methods:This study included 30 female patients with RA fulfilled the modified American college of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.All the patients were subjected to full medical history,thorough clinical examination with evaluation of the disease activity using Disease Activity Score 28(DAS28),laboratory assessment of highly sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), pulmonary function tests (FVC- FEV 1 and FEV 1/FVC) and one night polysomnography (PSG) at the sleep laboratory. Results: Polysomnographic data revealed OSA in 14 RA patients ( 46.7%) . Patients with OSA showed longer disease duration (mean 7.0±1.94 y) ,higher BMI (mean 30.8±2.48), higher hsCRP(6.7+0.6 mg/L)and higher DAS28 (4.9 ±1.85) than patients with no OSA (mean 4.0 ±1.72 y, 20.3 ±1.55, 4.9+0.3mg/L and 3.7± 1.28 respectively).While there was statistically non significant difference between both groups as regards results of pulmonary function tests (p>0.05).The study showed statistical significant correlation between AHI (apnea- hypopnea index) and BMI ,hs CRP and DAS 28 (r=0.45 ,0.43 and 0.51 respectively p<0.05), Conclusion: OSA is commonly associated with patients with RA .This possibly suggest common underlying pathological mechanisms which may be linked to chronic inflammation Co-existence of OSA in RA patients will influence the disease activity and the level of circulating inflammatory markers in these patients .Diagnosis and treatment of OSA in RA patients may help in improved clinical care,better prognosis and avoid rheumatoid-associated morbidities.
