Authors: Herzog, Michael¹; Riemann, Randolf²

Source: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Volume 261, Number 8, September 2004 , pp. 459-462(4)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Night time alcohol ingestion influences nocturnal breathing in patients with sleep apnea syndrome or respiratory diseases. To evaluate the influence of nocturnal alcohol ingestion on the cardio-respiratory activity of healthy men, 8 snoring and 13 non-snoring male subjects were measured for 3 nights after alcohol ingestion. Blood alcohol concentration was 0.0, 0.5 and 0.8%, respectively. During each night polysomnographic data were obtained and analyzed. The apnea-hypopnea index was significantly higher in snoring than in non-snoring participants and increased in both groups under the influence of alcohol. Non-snoring males showed a significant increase of hypopneas under nocturnal alcohol ingestion (0.96–1.65–2.06). Mean oxygen saturation (SAO₂) was significantly higher in non-snoring compared to snoring males, and both groups showed a significant decrease (non-snoring: 96.06%–95.7%–95.52%; snoring: 95.54%–94.74%–94.53%). Snoring individuals had a significant decrease in SAO₂ during NREM4, whereas SAO₂ was reduced significantly in REM and NREM3 in non-snoring subjects. The nocturnal heart rate was significantly increased in both groups under the influence of alcohol. The study proves that snoring and non-snoring healthy males are affected by nocturnal alcohol ingestion. Under the effect of alcohol, these patients can develop signs of a sleep apnea syndrome, which should be considered clinically.

Keywords: Alcohol; OSAS; Snoring; Polysomnography

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-003-0704-x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany, Email: herzog.michael@gmx.de 2: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Städtisches Klinikum Höchst, Gotenstr. 6–8, 65779, Frankfurt, Germany,

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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