The Coexistence of the Impaired Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Gastroesophageal Reflux

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a frequent disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of the study was to evaluate possible correlation between the impairement of exercise tolerance and GERD. Material and methods: We examined 18 patients with OSA, mean AHI—44 ± 22; 6 females, 12 males, mean age 55 ± 9 years. All patients were treated for metabolic disorders and for hypertension or coronary artery disease. In all patients gastroscopy was performed with 24h pHmetry and 6MWT. Results: In 12 patients GERD was found, in 14 patients esophagitis was diagnosed (among them there were 3 patients without GERD). Patients with GERD were younger (53 ± 7 vs. 59 ± 11 years) and more obese (BMI—38 ± 5 vs. 36 ± 9 kg/m²). During 6MWT the distance covered was shorter (in % of normal values) in GERD subjects: 78 ± 17 vs. 86 ± 22%) and desaturation was deeper (91 ± 3 vs. 94 ± 3%). Conclusions: Despite some tendencies the relationship between GERD and impairement of exercise tolerance in OSA patients was not statistically significant. Perhaps study in larger group of subjects will be more reliable.