High incidence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with late-onset epilepsy.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with late-onset epilepsy (LOE) who were considered at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Methods: Polysomnography was performed on 27 patients with LOE. Berlin questionnaires and Epworth sleepiness score were performed on all patients. We compared clinical, demographic and anthropometric characteristics, questionnaire scores on the patients with no or mild OSA (group 1) and the patients with moderate or severe OSA (group 2). Patients eligible for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy were reviewed in consultation.
Results: Twenty-four patients (88.9%) had OSA and 55.6% had moderate or severe OSA. Patients in group 2 (n=15) were older than patients in group 1 (n=12). The two groups were similar in terms of body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, nocturnal seizure frequency, vascular cardiovascular risk factors and excessive daytime sleepiness. Leukoaraiosis in MRI was highly prevalent in our patients (40.7%), especially in group 2 patients. Eighty percent of the patients who had begun CPAP therapy experienced decreased seizure frequency.
Conclusion: Patients with LOE should be screened for the presence of OSA and treated accordingly.
(Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)