Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a cause of acute delirium

J Clin Sleep Med. 2009 Dec 15;5(6):569-70.

Abstract

Delirium is a transient global disorder of cognition related to a variety of structural or functional neural disorders. Descriptions and characterizations of delirium associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are rare. We describe a 52-year-old man with severe OSAS associated with sudden onset of delirium and with a fluctuating nighttime course, prolonged for several days. The delirium disappeared after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The patient remained free of symptoms under CPAP during a follow-up of 8 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / methods
  • Delirium / etiology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy