TY - JOUR T1 - Correlation between intermittent nocturnal hypercapnia and depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p3465 AU - Radoslav Bilyukov AU - Tsanko Mondeshki AU - Radostina Cherneva AU - Daniela Petrova AU - Ognian Georgiev Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3465.abstract N2 - Background: It is still controversial whether sleep disordered breathing could play an independent role in the development of depression. The role of nocturnal hypercapnia is still unclear.It is disputive whether non-invasive ventilation is beneficial.Materials and methods: 58 patients with OSA participated in our study. OSA was proved using Compumedics polysomnography. The patients were divided into two groups – patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and OSA; and patients with OSA only. Nocturnal hypercapnia was determined by measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) – Nonin Medair. In each group depression was diagnosed using the International Classification of Diseases.criteria. The severity of depressive symptoms was determined using the Zung and Hamilton scales. Patients were on bilevel positive airway pressure therapy and were followed up for 6 months.Results: Thirty of the patients (51,7%) had depressive symptoms. There was no correlation between AHI and the severity of depression (p=0.328). The analysis of the hypnogram showed that sleep fragmentation, characterized by arousal index had a significant impact on depressive symptoms (p=0.048, r=0.265). Another important factor that determines daytime affective status was nocturnal hypercapnea (p=0,05, r=0,265). Body mass index (BMI) also showed a statistically significant relationship with the depressive symptoms (p=0.006, r=0.368).Conclusion: The degree of OSA determined by AHI and the desaturation index do not contribute to the development of depressive symptoms in patients with OHS/OSA. BMI, sleep fragmentation, nocturnal hypercapnea are of greater importance. ER -