Many endoscopy patients at high risk for obstructive sleep a

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Many endoscopy patients at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea

Last Updated: 2009-12-21 10:01:01 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than a third of patients undergoing routine outpatient endoscopic procedures are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to findings from a prospective study at a university hospital.

The good news is that high-risk patients are not more likely to experience transient hypoxia during sedation for endoscopic procedures, the investigators report in the December issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

OSA is under-recognized, and it is unclear how many endoscopy patients may have undiagnosed OSA. OSA patients are known to be at higher risk for anesthesia-related cardiopulmonary complications during deep sedation. Their risk of complications during conscious sedation is not known, however.

To address this question, Dr. Vijay S. Khiani, from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, and associates administered the validated Berlin OSA questionnaire to 233 patients before routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. Based on their responses, patients were categorized either as low or high risk for OSA.

During endoscopy, the subjects were assessed for transient hypoxia, defined as a pulse oximetric reading below 92% that required an increase in supplemental oxygen.

Overall, 90 patients (39%) were at high risk for OSA. The rate of transient hypoxia in this group, 10%, was not significantly different from the 7% rate in the low risk group.

The results suggest that "the majority of patients at risk of OSA can safely undergo conscious sedation for routine endoscopic procedures by using standard sedation and monitoring practices," the authors conclude.

Gastrointest Endosc 2009;70:1116-1120.

http://www.rtmagazine.com/reuters_artic ... in004.html

That's a great idea having them fill out a questioneer then noting if they have problems during the procedure.
Gerry

So, does the endoscopy lead to OSA, or does OSA lead to the increased likelihood that a doctor is going to want an endoscopy done to you?

Hmm....

The Dreamer.