Searching for the existence of polyneuropathy and dysautonomia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Aim: The aim of our study is to search for the existence of polyneuropathy, dysautonomia and to identify the correlations of sickness level of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).Method: The research is based on the real cases at Dokuz Eylul University of Medicine Sleep and Epilepsy Center, observed during October 2008-May 2009. The patients were selected by polysomnography samples based on 20 persons at same ages with following criteria; high leveled OUAS (AHİ ? 30), middle-low OUAS (5 ? AHİ <30) and healthy participants. Classical ENMG protocol, right upper and left lower limb symphatic skin response (SSR) , stand by-deep breathing-valsalva manoeuvre-stand up heart rate interval variation tests (HRIV) and Schirmer test were performed on these samples.Results: High and middle-low leveled OSAS patients had a decrease in the average velocity of motor conduction in right tibialis posterior when compared to the control group. Besides we observed an increase in the average amplitud of symphatic skin responses in high leveled OSAS patients than control group. Results are statistically significant (p<0,05).Conclusion: OSAS indicates a risk of possible peripheral neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction risk increases in positive correlation with level of OSAS.