Peripheral Nerve Function Changes Due to Hypoxia in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hypoxia is known to be one of the risk factors for peripheral neuropathy. However, the effect of intermittent hypoxia on peripheral nerves is not fully understood. This study evaluated the relation between intermittent hypoxia and peripheral nerve function in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 86 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) and electroneuromyography were enrolled. Participants with diseases affecting peripheral nerves and lung function were excluded from the study. Hypoxia parameters were obtained from the PSG study. Lower extremity motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of all patients were evaluated.

Results: In patients with OSA, peroneal nerve distal motor latency and sural sensory nerve action potential amplitude was low and velocity was significantly slower than controls (p<0.001, p<0.04, p<0.001, respectively). After adjustment for age and body mass index, the results remained significantly (p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively). The nerve conduction results were significantly correlated with the hypoxia parameters. After adjustment for confounding factors, logistic regression analyses revealed that hypoxia parameters were independently associated with nerve conduction results.

Conclusion: OSA and intermittent hypoxia may affect both motor and sensory nerve conduction, which suggests that subclinical sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy is associated with OSA. The related intermittent hypoxia and OSA may be a cause of axonal and demyelinating neuropathies.