Epidemiologic studies on the screening for sleep disordered breathing in relation to cardiovascular diseases.

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Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a condition of repetitive episodes of decreased or arrested respiratory airflow during sleep. We have conducted several surveys using the pulse-oximetry to detect SDB in working populations and communities. We found that prevalence of SDB among male residents and workers in Japan was similar to that in the US and EU countries.To examine the relationship between SDB and blood pressure levels among Japanese men, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in rural and urban communities men. The 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was selected as the indicator of SDB. The multivariate odds ratio of hypertension for the low versus high category of 3% ODI level was 1.63 (95% CI, 1.1-2.5). These associations were more evident among overweight than non-overweight individuals. In addition, we measured ODI by nocturnal pulse-oximetry among male shift workers and male day workers at nuclear power plants in Japan. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly correlated with 3%ODI in total subjects after adjustment for potential confounding variables (p=0.04). This association was primarily observed among workers aged 【greater than or equal】40 years, more specifically older shift workers. A correlation between SDB severity and diastolic blood pressure levels among shift workers aged 【greater than or equal】40 years suggests the importance of screening for SDB among shift workers for blood pressure control.To clarify the association between usual alcohol consumption and nocturnal oxygen desaturation, we compared ODI levels according to categories of alcohol intake. We found a significant positive association between usual alcohol consumption and the severity of SDB among middle-aged Japanese men, independent of age, BMI and smoking. This association was more evident among non-overweight subjects, indicating the importance of alcohol abstinence for non-overweight SDB patients.