Abstract:

ＯｂｊｅｃｔｉｖｅTo explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) and cognitive impairment in the elderly. ＭｅｔｈｏｄｓThirtysix elderly patients were divided into two groups，eighteen patients with OSAS and 18 controls. Polysomnography at home, Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI）, Epworth sleepiness scale（ESS）, minimental state examination（MMSE），Wechsler memory scale，clock drawing，word list recall and digital symbol test were detected in two groups. ＲｅｓｕｌｔｓThe delta sleep ratio, minimum and mean saturation of blood oxygen decreased,and the apnea and hypopnea index increased significantly in OSAS group than those in control group（P＜005）. Scores of the MMSE, Wechsler memory scale, digital symbol test， clock drawing in the OSAS group were impaired significantly compared with the control group. ＣｏｎｃｌｕｓｉｏｎｓThe elderly with OSAS have less deep sleep and decreased blood oxygen level at night.There is a relationship between OSAS and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Key words: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, cognitive impairment, elderly, polysomnography