Multicentric, epidemiological study of the prevalence of sleep apnea in patients with nocturnal hypertension in the Czech Republic and the difference between its prevalence in two Czech regions (Bohemia, Moravia)

Introduction and objective : The aim of this study was to assess the percentage of patients with nocturnal hypertension (assessed by 24 hour ambulatory pressure monitoring- ABPM) and as yet non-diagnosed and non-treated with SAS and to asses the difference between two regions in the Czech Republic (Bohemia, Moravia). Subjects and methods : 188 patients (125 males) average age 57.8± 10.6 with nocturnal hypertension according to ABPM ( Results : In the full sample of patients (Bohemia , Moravia) with nocturnal hypertension, treated arterial hypertension was present in 96.8 (100; 95.5)%.SAS was newly diagnosed in 72.9 (74.1; 72.4)% and apnea- hypopnea (AHI) index ³ 15 was present in 43.6 ( 38.9; 45.5)%. We have not found a statistically significant difference between the prevalence in Bohemia and Moravia in age (p=0.187), number of men (p=0.500), treated arterial hypertension (p= 0.185), newly diagnosed SAS (p=0.858), AHI ³ 15 (p=0.422). Conclusion: This study has shown a high prevalence of non-diagnosed and non-treated SAS in patients with resistant nocturnal hypertension. It is important to evaluate clinical signs of SAS in patients with nocturnal hypertension and to refer them to a sleep centre for further investigation. Acknoledgements: Supported by MH CZ – DRO (FNOl,00098892), Grant CARO 2009.