Apnea index, aerobic capacity, and maximal respiratory pressures in untreated sleep apnea patients. Colombia

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as a partial collapse of the airways and an increase in their resistance until the generation of episodes of hypopnea or apnea during sleep, progressively leading to disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems. This systemic commitment significantly affects the performance of activities of daily living, reflecting in a decrease in aerobic capacity, which is related to the severity of the sleep apnea index (AHÍ). <bold>Objective:</bold> Relationship of AHI, aerobic capacity, and maximal respiratory pressures in untreated patients with sleep apnea. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study in untreated patients with OSA who were evaluated and related to the AHI variables using polysomnography, aerobic capacity using the 6-minute walk test, and maximal respiratory pressures using adjustment to lung volumes. The statistic used was the Pearson Correlation. <bold>Results:</bold> 40 patients with OSA were included with a mean age of 69±11 years, 72% female. The table describes the results of the correlation between the distance traveled and quality of life. <table-wrap><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA4471/T1</object-id><object-id>T1</object-id><object-id>t1</object-id><table><colgroup><col></col><col></col><col></col><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td></td><td>AHI</td><td>6MWT</td><td>VO2e</td><td>MIP</td></tr><tr><td>AGE</td><td>,351*</td><td>−,597**</td><td>−,598**</td><td>−,434**</td></tr><tr><td>AHI</td><td></td><td>−,542**</td><td>−,540**</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6MWT</td><td></td><td></td><td>,001**</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap> AHI: apnea-hypopnea index, 6MWT: 6 minute walk test, VO2e: Estimated oxygen consumption, MIP: Maximum Inspiratory Pressure **Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level and *0.05 leve <bold>Conclusions:</bold> It was evidenced in this study that the AHI is directly proportional to aerobic capacity, but no relationship was found with maximum respiratory pressures. The distance traveled and the VO2e from the 6MWT can be considered as an evaluative strategy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.