International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep apnoea is by far the most common form of sleep disordered breathing and is defined by frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the most common complaint in patients with OSAHS. Symptoms other than EDS which greatly impact daytime functioning are neuropsychological symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and other psychological disturbances. Sleep fragmentation and disruption and nocturnal hypoxemia have both been proposed to be related to daytime sleepiness and neurocognitive impairment. Many patients with OSAHS may have mild neurocognitive deficits and this may affect their quality of life. In this study, we intended to find out neurocognitive impairment in Indian patients with varying severity of disease (OSAHS).

Aim and objective: The aim of this is to find out neurocognitive impairment in Indian patients with varying severity of OSAHS.

Methodology: Diagnosed OSAHS patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of condition on the basis of polysomnography and Montreal cognitive assessment tool was administered to assess neurocognition in all the three groups of patients. Result: Statistically, there was significant difference in MoCA score (p<o.o5) between the three groups and it is related to AHI and nocturnal oxygen saturation.

Conclusion: OSAHS affects cognitive ability of patients significantly in severe group as compared to mild group and it is related to disease severity.