CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH NON-VALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND CONCOMINANT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA/HYPOPNOEA

Background. In recent years growing evidence has suggested the potential role of obstructive sleep apnoea- hypopnoea (OSAH) in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the precise mechanisms linking these two conditions are currently unknown. The aim. To assess the prevalence of OSAH in a sample of non-valvular AF patients and evaluate the clinical profile of non-valvular AF patients depending on the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. Material and methods. We enrolled into the study 172 patients with non-valvular AF (mean age 55.54±8.43 years; 68.02% males). The study subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the results of clinical laboratory evaluation (typical complaints, clinical markers, the Epworth scale scores and cardiorespiratory monitoring). Results. OSAH patients had higher body mass index, greater waist and neck circumference than non-OSAH patients (p<0.01); they more often had cardiac comorbidities (arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure) (p<0.01) and diabetes mellitus, and their parameters of blood oxygen saturation as well as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were significantly worse. Mild OSAH patients were less likely than moderate/severe OSAH patients to have permanent AF (p<0.01). Conclusion. OSAH appears to be highly prevalent in non-valvular AF patients and has been estimated to be present in approximately 78.49% in the study sample (it affects predominantly men with abdominal type of obesity). With the increase in OSAH severity and the level of AHI the prevalence of permanent AF and the risk of thromboembolic disorders by the CHA2DS2-VASc scale significantly rise

GRODNO STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Anniversaries are an important event in the activities of the university. For over 60 years of its history, Grodno State Medical University has become a major educational, scientific and clinical center in the education and health care system of the Republic of Belarus. The article provides information on the current state of the university, its main achievements, scientists and staff who have made significant contributions to the establishment and development of the university

TYPE IV COLLAGEN AS A BIOMARKER OF THE ESOPHAGEAL MUCOSA DAMAGE IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA/HYPOPNEA SYNDROME

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) seems to have negative effect on the state of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aim: to evaluate plasma levels of type IV collagen as a potential biomarker of esophageal mucosa damage in patients with GERD accompanied by OSAHS. Material and methods. A total of 120 patients were examined: 29 persons with GERD, 35 – with GERD and OSAHS, 30 – with OSAHS, 26 persons – the comparison group. Respiratory monitoring and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed. Plasma level of type IV collagen was evaluated in 80 patients by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Patients with erosive esophagitis had higher plasma levels of type IV collagen then patients with nonerosive esophagitis and those of the comparison group. Patients with GERD accompanied by OSAHS had higher plasma levels of type IV collagen in comparison with those who had GERD without OSAHS. Conclusions. OSAHS has negative impact on the state of esophageal mucosa in patients with GERD which leads to an increase in type IV collagen concentration in plasma