ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSA) is recognized pre dominantly by daytime somnolence and night-time snoring often in obese individ uals (1,2). The diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating a sufficient number of obstructive apneas (absence of airflow with continued respiratory effort) an d /o r obstructive hypopneas (reduction in airflow despite sufficient respiratory effort to produce normal airflow) (1). The daytime somnolence appears to result, in large part, from short, amnestic arousals that fragment and reduce the efficiency of sleep. OSA appears to affect about 4% of men and 2% of women between 30 and 60 years of age (3). OSA is associated with systemic hypertension, myocardial infarction, motor vehicle accidents, and cerebrovascular accidents (4-7).
