Neurocognitive Function After Therapy of OSAS
Condition: Neurocognitive Function; OSAS
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repeated episodes of airway
      obstruction while sleeping. Upper airway obstruction while sleeping leads to a dramatic
      decrease in oxygen saturation and to hypoxemia finally, in which consequence the patient
      rapidly awake. Clinical signs are sleepiness and functional cognitive deficits. The Gold
      standard therapy is "continuous positive airway pressure" ventilation during sleep. However,
      the success depends strongly to the patient´s compliance. Surgical treatment is an
      alternative option, which could be considered if clinical success failed. A comparison of the
      cognitive function of both therapies is not yet analyzed. The study addresses the question
      which of this treatment options is favorable regarding cognitive function and outcome.
    

Detailed description: 
      Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repeated episodes of airway
      obstruction while sleeping. The "Apnea-hypopnea index" (AHI) defined as events per hour,
      gives information about the severity of the disease. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
      Task Force" defined that more than 5 episodes per hour is strongly suspect for an OSAS
      disease. Upper airway obstruction while sleeping leads to a dramatic decrease in oxygen
      saturation and to hypoxemia finally, in which consequence the patient rapidly awake. The
      prevalence rise with age and about 20% of the population is suspect to a sleep disorder.
      However about 1-5% of male and about 0,5-2% of female aged adults are affected. Main reason
      is obesity. Clinical signs are sleepiness and functional cognitive deficits. The Gold
      standard therapy is "continuous positive airway pressure" ventilation during sleep. However,
      the success depends strongly to the patient´s compliance. Surgical treatment is an
      alternative option, which could be considered if clinical success failed. It is notable that
      the long-term mortality is comparable in both medical treatment options. However, a
      comparison of the cognitive function of both therapies is not yet analyzed. The study
      addresses the question which of this treatment options is favorable regarding cognitive
      function and outcome.
    

Intervention name(s): Treatment of OSAS with CPAP mask; Surgical Treatment with multilevel operation
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): Interventional treatment addresses the treatment with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask in oder to open patients upper airway obstructive permanently while sleep.; Surgical treatment addresses a surgical multilevel anti-obstructive operation in order to eliminate upper airway obstruction permanently.
Other intervention name(s): CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask; Surgical multilevel anti-obstructive operation
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients recruted at the University Hospital Erlangen prior surgery or conventional
        treatment.
      
Keywords: Neurocognitive function; OSAS