Obstructive sleep apnea in epilepsy: a preliminary Egyptian study

Abstract

Sleep apnea is frequent in patients with epilepsy. OSA may contribute to increase seizure frequency. We recommend investigating sleep apnea in all patients with epilepsy.

Observational pilot study of reported symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea in children with epilepsy

“…The estimated prevalence of symptoms of OSA in CWE (55%) is of a similar order as that previously reported when using the same questionnaire tool. 17,21,22 A reverse association is also noted in the literature, with interictal epileptic discharges being found in 16.1% of children undergoing polysomnography for OSA, 29 and an increased incidence of epilepsy described in a cohort of young children with OSA. 1 The exact nature of the relation between epilepsy and OSA is unclear.…”

“…Although there are small retrospective studies that have shown an increased OSA prevalence in sleep studies performed on CWE, 21,22 no prospective dataset has looked at this question. First, the numbers studied are small, with heterogeneity of epilepsy type within the group of CWE.…”

“…10 Although several studies have examined the prevalence of sleep disturbance in adults with epilepsy, [11][12][13] similar studies in CWE are few. 21 Thus, available data suggest an increased prevalence of OSA in CWE. 15,16 Prospective pilot data obtained by questionnaire in CWE suggests an increased prevalence of OSA.…”

“…20 In a US retrospective cohort of CWE, in whom referral for polysomnography was due to sleep problems, sleep-disordered breathing was found in 42.5%. 21 Thus, available data suggest an increased prevalence of OSA in CWE. There are, however, methodological issues with the published data.…”

“…An increased incidence of sleep problems in CWE compared with typically developing children has been reported, 14 whereas daytime sleepiness appears to be common in CWE, and may be caused by underlying sleep disorders. Work where polysomnography has been undertaken is limited, retrospective, 21,22 and in one of the studies might have contained a selection bias because the studies were performed due to concerns with patients' sleep. 17 Using the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale (PSQ-SRBD) [18][19][20] to screen for OSA, Jain et al 17 suggest a prevalence of OSA of 30.7% in children with mild epilepsy, rising to 43.8% in severe epilepsy; a retrospective Egyptian study reported OSA as occurring in 11 out of 26 (42%) CWE in whom sleep studies were undertaken.…”