Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder but underestimated, often associated with cardiovascular diseases, and currently having recognized role in inducing, worsening and decompensating atrial fibrillation (AF)

To assess prevalence of OSA in Tunisian patients with AF.

It is about a descriptive study. The study concerned 100 patients followed for non valvular AF. Before entering this study, none of the patients had received a prior diagnosis of OSA. Then they were asked to undergo overnight polygraphy. OSA's diagnosis was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (IAH)≥5 on polygraphy.

It was about 45 men and 55 women. The average age was 66.4 years old. Hypertension was the most common cardiovascular risk factor with a prevalence of 72%. The mean body mass index was 28.5±4.8kg/m². As for the AF, permanent form of the arrhythmia was present in the majority of patients (70%). The course and duration of AF was on average 4.3 years. Evocative OSA's symptomatology including nocturnal snoring (87%) and daytime sleepiness (74%)was found. Using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale cutoff≥10, this questionnaire was positive in 54 patients. Berlin questionnaire was positive in 64 patients. Analysis of the sleep study results showed that OSA was present in 90 participants. Dividing newly diagnosed OSA patients according to the disease severity, showed that mild OSA was found in 32 patients, moderate OSA in 27 patients, while severe OSA were diagnosed in 31 patients. The average hypopnea apnea index was 21.7±13.6 event/h.

OSA is highly prevalent in Tunisian patients with AF, hence the need to screen this sleep ventilatory disorder in this population. Although current epidemiological data do not yet reveal a definitive causal link between these two pathologies, it is certain that the association (AF and OSA) is to be taken into consideration for the treatment and monitoring of AF.