People affected by obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome may be more likely to have memory and thinking problems.
- Sleep apnea, which affects 4% of the French population, manifests itself by snoring, breathing pauses, repeated micro-arousals, nocturia, erectile dysfunction or even daytime drowsiness.
- People with these symptoms were about 50% more likely to have memory or thinking problems than those without sleep apnea.
- Faced with these results, the authors “underline the importance of early detection of sleep apnea.”
“Sleep apnea is a common disorder that is often underdiagnosed.” This was stated by Dominique Low, of the Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts and member of the American Academy of Neurology. As a reminder, obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (SAHOS), which affects 4% of the French population, occurs when people stop and restart their breathing several times during sleep, which causes a lack of oxygen. . It manifests itself by snoring, breathing pauses, repeated micro-arousals, nocturia, erectile dysfunction or even daytime drowsiness.
Memory problems: 50% increased risk in adults with sleep apnea
In a new study, American researchers wanted to determine the impact of sleep apnea on cognitive functions. For this, they recruited 4,257 adults. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding sleep quality as well as memory and thinking problems. For sleep, volunteers were asked about their snoring, panting or breathing pauses during sleep. For memory and thinking, people had to answer questions related to difficulty remembering, periods of confusion, difficulty concentrating or problems making decisions.
According to the results, presented during the American Academy of Neurology conference which will take place in April in Denver, 1,079 adults reported symptoms of sleep apnea. Among them, 357 participants reported problems with memory or thinking, compared to 628 people, or 20% of volunteers without symptoms of sleep apnea. After controlling for other factors, such as age, gender and education, the authors found that people with symptoms of sleep apnea were about 50% more likely to report having sleep apnea symptoms. memory or thinking compared to those not affected by OSAHS.
“The importance of early detection of sleep apnea”
“These results highlight the importance of early detection of sleep apnea. Effective treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are readily available. Quality sleep, combined with a healthy diet, Regular exercise, social engagement and cognitive stimulation, can ultimately reduce the risk of impaired thinking and memory, improving a person’s quality of life. concluded Dominique Low, who led the study.
