Hypoxemia correlates with attentional dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cognitive impairment, but whether hypoxemia or repeated arousals and sleepiness are the underlying mechanism is controversial. Studies using a wide range of attention and executive functions tests in patients with severe sleep apnea are lacking.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 40 patients aged 30-70 years, diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5) were recruited.