Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Patient With Spinal Muscle Atrophy

• Published in: Chest Vol. 126; no. 5; pp. 1705 - 1707
• Main Authors: Puruckherr, Michael, Mehta, Jay B., Girish, Mirle R., Byrd, Ryland P., Roy, Thomas M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Northbrook, IL Elsevier Inc 01.11.2004; American College of Chest Physicians
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; continuous positive airway pressure; Humans; Kugelberg-Welander syndrome; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - complications; neuromuscular disease; obstructive sleep apnea; Pneumology; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Severity of Illness Index; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - etiology; spinal muscle atrophy; obstructive sleep apnea; CPAP; Kugelberg-Welander syndrome; SMA; spinal muscle atrophy; neuromuscular disease; OSA; continuous positive airway pressure; Human; Nervous system diseases; Sleep apnea syndrome; Respiratory disease; Cardiovascular disease; Obstruction; Spinal muscle; Atrophy; Kugelberg- Welander syndrome; Severe
• ISSN: 0012-3692; 1931-3543
• DOI: 10.1378/chest.126.5.1705

Patients with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) who survive to adulthood experience a slow, continuous loss of motor function but typically have a normal life expectancy. These patients, however, require vigilance on the part of their health-care providers to reverse treatable disorders to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. We report on a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and type 3 SMA. The treatment of his sleep-disordered breathing resulted in the resolution of symptoms that were initially attributed to his neuromuscular disease.