Effect of allergic rhinitis on adult obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective To investigate the effects of allergic rhinitis (AR) on obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)in adult. Methods One hundred and twenty adult patients (> 18 years) with allergic rhinitis and OSAHS were selected. Serum IgE, allergen detection, nasal endoscope, and multi-guided sleep monitoring (PSG) were performed. The anti-allergy treatment of all patients, sleeping parameters including apnea hypopnea index (AHI), snoring index, lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO₂) and epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were compared. Results Compared with pre-treatment, the AHI, LSaO₂, ESS and snore index of patients with persistent AR and mild OSAHS after treatment improved significantly (7.74±0.62)/h vs (10.68±0.94)/h, (89.00 ±0.71)%vs (81.10±0.46)%, (6.80±0.59) vs (8.82±0.66), (97.47±13.64) vs (131.48±19.23), P< 0.05. Compared with pre-treatment, the AHI, LSaO₂, ESS and snore index of patients with persistent AR and moderate OSAHS after treatment improved significantly(15.53±1.83)/h vs (21.73±2.78)/h, (79.00±1.65)% vs (70.60±1.77)%, (9.26±0.39) vs (13.53±1.78), (187.42±28.26) vs(234.39±33.79), P< 0.05. After treatment, ESS and snoring index of patients with persistent AR and severe OSAHS decreased significantly (20.29±1.57) vs (14.47±1.04), P=0.037; (367.96±47.25) vs (252.54±36.47), P=0.029. Conclusion The nasal symptoms improve significantly after regular anti allergy treatment. AR can increase AHI and affect SaO₂ which will cause daytime sleepiness in patients with OSAHS.