A COMPARISON OF TREATED AND UNTREATED PATIENTS WITH THE HYPERSOMNIA SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME (TRACHEOSTOMY)

Abstract

A retrospective take-home questionnaire study was conducted in forty obese male sleep apneics aged 30 to 70. Each patient had sufficiently severe hypersomnia-sleep apnea syndrome (HSA) pathology to warrant a tracheostomy, but only half the group had undergone a tracheostomy; half had not.;Compared to pre-operative HSA symptoms, tracheostomy subjects reported less snoring, obligatory napping, excessive daytime sleepiness, waking unrefreshed, early morning awakenings, and needing to sleep upright. Compared to non-tracheostomy subjects, tracheostomy subjects reported more coughing and bouts with the flu. Spouses and bedpartners of non-tracheostomy subjects were less satisfied with the frequency of sexual relations. Non-tracheostomy subjects tired more easily and were also more likely to fall asleep in non-sedentary social activities and to be more sleepy driving. Both groups were similar in dietary habits except that more tracheostomy subjects considered themselves to be people who cannot maintain a weight loss. Non-tracheostomy subjects missed more work days due to illness, spent more time in the hospital, and reported that their health had worsened in the past year. They were more likely, however, to have annual dental and eye examinations.;Based on findings from the SCI, the group as a whole was not significantly different from a group of depressed outpatients. Sixty percent of non-tracheostomy subjects and forty percent of tracheostomy subjects may be depressed on the basis of this test. On other self report measures, the groups were similar, except that more tracheostomy subjects stressed the importance of positive thinking.;It was concluded that tracheostomy substantially reduces HSA symptomatology. Except for these symptoms, the two groups are remarkably similar.