Sleep apnea syndrome in chronic spinal cord injury: associated factors and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of sleep apnea in a sample of persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) of varying injury levels and degrees of impairment.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Inpatient SCI rehabilitation unit.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty men with SCI (motor complete and incomplete; American Spinal Injury Association classes A-D) of at least 1 year's duration, randomly selected from patients with SCI undergoing elective hospitalization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Apnea index, determined by sleep study (including chest wall movement, airflow, oxygen saturation), and daytime sleepiness, determined by Epworth sleepiness score.

RESULTS

Eight subjects (40%) had sleep apnea, manifested by elevated apnea index (mean +/- SD, 17.1 +/- 6.9) and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea was commonly diagnosed in motor-incomplete injuries. A trend (p = .07) existed toward a greater prevalence of sleep apnea with tetraplegia. Age and body mass index were not associated with sleep apnea.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of sleep apnea in men with chronic SCI admitted for nonrespiratory elective hospitalization is high relative to the general population.