Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate vestibular function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Methods: Our study is cross-sectional, involving patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. We assessed the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome by the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and the Epworth questionnaire. The vestibular function was evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the clinical examination and the oculomotility tests and the caloric vestibular responses recorded by videonystagmography (VNG).
Results: Twelve women and 7 men were included. The mean age was 53 years old. The mean apnea–hypopnea index was 23.7 events per hour [5 – 77.4 AH / H]. Twelve patients complained of balance disorders. Dizziness-related disability, according to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire, was considered moderate in four cases and minor in eight cases. At videonystagmoscopy, one patient had spontaneous nystagmus. The head shaking test and the vibrator test revealed nystagmus in 7 and 5 patients respectively. The Halmagyi test was pathological in four cases. The caloric test showed a deficit in 10 cases (including six with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) and a significant preponderance in 9 cases (including five with moderate to severe obstructive sleep
apnea syndrome).
Conclusion: Our results, in line with other studies, strongly suggest an alteration of vestibular function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Recent studies suggest a subjective improvement of imbalance by correct nocturnal breathing disturbances management.
Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, dizziness, imbalance, vestibular function.
