PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Gencer, Aysegul AU - Atahan, Ersan AU - Kadioglu, Pinar AU - Mutlu, Birsen TI - Investigation of the frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism AID - 10.1183/23120541.00186-2022 DP - 2022 Oct 01 TA - ERJ Open Research PG - 00186-2022 VI - 8 IP - 4 4099 - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/4/00186-2022.short 4100 - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/4/00186-2022.full SO - erjor2022 Oct 01; 8 AB - Background The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in a study group with the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and in a control group without the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism. This study compares these two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, chronic diseases and especially polysomnographic data.Methods A total of 120 patients were included in this study. They consisted of 60 patients with newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism and a control group of 60 patients with normal thyroid functions. Demographic, anthropometric, polysomnography data and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores of the patients were recorded and compared.Results Any significant difference in the frequency and severity of OSAS was not detected. A significant difference was found in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) in rapid eye movement sleep, the AHI in supine sleep position and the arousal index of the group experiencing subclinical hypothyroidism with OSAS.Conclusion This study showed that there was no increase in OSAS frequency in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, but it demonstrated that the ODI and the arousal index were significantly increased in OSAS patients diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. It is thought that the diagnosis and treatment of OSAS in these patients may be important in preventing cardiovascular complications.Oxygen desaturation index and arousal index are increased in subclinical hypothyroidism patients with OSAS https://bit.ly/3Sh4H85