Introduction:

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF). The presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) determines a worse prognosis in these patients. There are questionnaires aimed at evaluating the probability of OSA, although none have been validated in patients with HF. The primary objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of SDB in a cohort of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) from the Multidisciplinary HF Unit (UMIC). As a secondary objective, to evaluate the usefulness of the Stop-Bang, Berlin, and 2ABN3M questionnaires for TRS screening in these patients.

Methodology:

Cross-sectional, observational study, including the active cohort of the UMIC, over 18 years with HFrEF, clinically stable and informed consent. Patients with cognitive, neurological or hearing impairment with limitations when conducting the interview were excluded. Patients with other limiting or uncontrolled sleep disorders, continuous home oxygen therapy requirements, did not enter the study. Berlin, Stop-Bang, and 2ABN3M questionnaires were administered, classifying the population into high-risk, intermediate-risk, and low-risk groups of presenting SDB. All patients underwent outpatient respiratory polygraphy (RP). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize demographic variables, measures of central tendency and dispersion. SPSS statistical software was used.

Results:

387 patients were included, 248 men (64.1%), mean age was 63.5 ± 0.6 years. The etiology of HF was ischemic in 41.6% of patients. The body mass index was 29.3 ± 0.3 kg/m2. LVEF was 34.2 ± 0.5, pro-BNP 1233.8 ± 137.6 pg/ml. The results of the questionnaires showed that 52.1% (198) presented a high risk of SDB according to the Berlin questionnaire. With Stop-Bang, 35.9% (139) were high risk, 42.1% (163) intermediate risk, and the remaining 22% (85) low risk. With the 2ABN3M score, 62% (240) were high risk. A total of 156 respiratory polygraphs (40.3% of the population) were performed. The cut-off point to define the presence of sleep apnea was considered to be an AHI >15. 58.3% (91) of the patients presented TRS. Of these, 95% presented obstructive apnea and 5% central apnea with periodic Cheyne-Stokes breathing. A high percentage (26%) presented AHI greater than 30. The sensitivity of the Berlin and Stop-Bang questionnaires was 75.8% and 91.2%, respectively, with a specificity of 53.8% and 24.6%. Regarding the 2ABN3M score, a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 44.6% were observed.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with HFrEF was high in our cohort and obstructive apnea predominated. Given the high sensitivity (91.2%) of the Stop-Bang questionnaire found in our study, it could be useful as a screening tool for TRS in this type of patient. The importance of investigating this pathology whose clinical presentation can be non-specific and remain underdiagnosed is highlighted.

        · resumen en Español | Portugués     · texto en Español