20 The Effect of Medical Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux on the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective: To determine the extent to which gastroesophageal reflux (GER)—initiated laryngeal chemoreflexes contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: This study is a prospective clinical trial of an antireflux treatment protocol as a means of reducing the severity of OSA. The study population consists of male patients, ages 20 to 64 years, who have not received prior treatment for OSA or GER. Patients undergo ambulatory pH probe monitoring and overnight polysomnography. Patients with evidence of both GER and OSA are treated for 30 days with omeprazole, 20 mg by mouth twice daily, as well as a standard antireflux regimen. After this treatment, patients undergo repeat polysomnography to document changes in apnea index (AI), hypopnea index (HI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation.

Results and Conclusions: Changes in AI, HI, RDI, and minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation will be presented and discussed, as will the use of antireflux medications as a modality for the treatment of OSA.