Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a negative effect on peripheral nerve functions. There are few studies regarding this issue. The aim of the study is to investigate peripheral nerve functions via electromyography (EMG) in patients with OSAS. Methods: Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) was determined via polysomnography. There were 21 patients in the OSAS group (RDI≥5) and 10 individuals in the control group (RDI<5). Conventional sensory and motor conduction studies were performed on the upper and lower extremities via EMG. Results: The right median and ulnar sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and the right tibial, left tibial, and left median compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude measurements were significantly lower in the OSAS patients when compared to the control group (p<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between the RDI and the right median and ulnar SNAP and right tibial CMAP amplitudes. There was a significant positive correlation between the average oxygen saturation and the right median, left median, and ulnar SNAP and the right tibial CMAP amplitude measurements. Conclusions: Results indicate that the axonal damage due to night desaturations increased in those with OSAS.

Objective: In smoking patients, the early diagnosis of COPD is important in order to stop the progression of the disease. In our study, we aimed to determine the frequency of COPD and small airways disease (SAD) and the relation between the smoking habit and pulmonary function tests in patients who were admitted to our smoking quitting outpatient clinic.Methods: A questionnaire to determine the smoking habits and Fagerstrm Nicotine Dependence Test were administered to all patients admitted to the smoking quitting outpatient clinic between April 2002-April 2009. Physical examinations were made and respiratory symptoms were questioned. Patients were diagnosed as COPD and SAD according to the GOLD criteria. In statistical analyses, chi-square test, T-test and and Pearson correlation test were used.Results: Of the 372 patients included in the study, 200 (53.8%) were women and 172 (46.2%) were men with the mean age of 43.9 +/- 11.2 years. The mean history of smoking was 31.9 +/- 18.5 packs. year, mean score for Fagerstrm Nicotine Dependence Test was 5.5 +/- 2.5. One hundred and thirty nine (53%) patients had effort dyspnea, 120 (45.7%) had cough and 68 (26.1%) had sputum as complaints. Sixty (16%) patients were diagnosed as COPD and 122 (32.7%) were diagnosed as SAD. Of patients who were newly diagnosed as COPD; 20 (40.9%) were mild, 27 (55.1%) were modarate, 2 (4%) were severe. COPD and SAD were statistically higher in patients over 40 years of age, with a smoking history of over 30 packs. year and in males (p<0.001). A correlation between smoking history (packs. year) and FEV 1 / FVC ratio (r=0.42, p<0.001) and FEF 25-75 (r=0.34, p<0.001) was found. No correlation was found with the nicotine dependence test.Conclusion: Early stage COPD and SAD were diagnosed in high ratio of patients admitted to smoking quitting outpatient clinic, who were male, over 40 years of age and had a smoking history of over 30 packs. year. It was concluded that smoking quitting outpatient clinics are important, not for only eliminating an important risk factor for COPD, but also for early diagnosis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of age on severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) severity was the aim of this study. Material and Method: The files of 874 OSAS patients diagnosed in our sleep laboratory between January 2005 – January 2010 were retrospectively analysed. Polysomnography was performed with Sleep Screen - Viasys device and scorring was done according to the criteria of Rech-Schaffen Kales. Chi-square and student's t-test was used in statistical analysis. Results: There were of 874 OSAS cases in the study. The mean age was 49.1±10.7 and of the cases, 602 (68.9%) were male, 272 (31.1%) were female. The severity of OSAS was mild in 235 (26.9%), moderate in 224 (25.6%) and severe in 415 (47.5%). A great majority of OSAS cases were belonging (65.2%) 40-59 years age group. Younger cases were 18.2% and older cases were%16.7 of OSAS patients. Mean AHI was 33.9 in younger (age<40), 36.8 in middle age (age=40-59) and 42.4 in older (age≥60) group. Age was <50 in 60.4% of mild OSAS cases whereas was the same in 50% of moderate OSAS and in 42.1% of severe OSAS cases. The severity of OSAS was statistically significantly increasing as age was advancing (p<0.05). As the cases were grouped as older and younger than 50 years of age, AHI, AI and ODI were statistically significantly higher and minimum saturation was significantly lower in older age group (p<0.05). Conclusion: OSAS is getting worser as the age is getting advanced.