Sleep Apnea in Sickle Cell Disease
Sleep Apnea in Sickle Cell Disease
Despite the fact that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the sickle cell
 population, studies focusing on the associations of the two diseases and their common
 pathophysiological mechanisms are scarce. OSA is one of the most common conditions
 responsible for hemoglobin desaturation. The nocturnal hemoglobin desaturation occurring in
 some sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with OSA could trigger hemoglobin S polymerization
 and red blood cell (RBC) sickling, leading to further blood rheological alterations, hence
 increasing the risks for VOC. Moreover, OSA has been demonstrated to increase oxidative
 stress and inflammation in non Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients, which, in SCD patients,
 could increase the risk for complications. Finally, OSA is accompanied by impaired vascular
 function and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the general population. Indeed, the
 presence of OSA in SCD could increase the clinical severity of patients and the frequency of
 VOC.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Homozygous HbS (Hemoglobin S) (SS) patients,

 -  aged between 15 and 3 months and 50 years old,

 -  in steady state (i.e. without vaso-occlusive crisis or recent blood transfusion),

 -  followed by the sickle cell center of the Hospices Civils de Lyon,

 -  and showing symptoms of OSA.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients receiving treatment of OSA,

 -  recent blood transfusion (less than 2 months),

 -  patients not at steady state (VOC or acute chest syndrome less than 2 months),

 -  pregnancy.