Characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with acromegaly

Patients with acromegaly are reported to have a 1.6 to 3.3 fold increase in the mortality rate and a 10-year reduction in their lifespan. Sleep apnea is considered the most common respiratory complication in acromegaly. The aim of our study was to evaluate the severity of sleep apnea, and its particularities, in patients with acromegaly in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We investigated 35 patients with acromegaly, referred to our Hospital for nocturnal sleep study investigations. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has a higher frequency in acromegalic patients. Sleep apnea symptoms were more frequent in women; severity was correlated with age, Epworth Scale, heart rate and with mean nocturnal oxigen saturation, diabetes mellitus. Comorbidities are common both in sleep apnea syndome and in acromegaly, contributing to a higher mortality rate. Therefore, sleep studies are mandatory for all patients with acromegaly and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.