Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Two Subjects with Down Syndrome: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Contribution on Exercise Tolerance

In subjects with Down syndrome the obstructive sleep apnea is the cause of many disorders (cognitive and cardiovascular disorders, premature exhaustion, increase of daytime sleepiness). The standard treatment in the obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure, which eliminates the respiratory events, allows recovery of a satisfactory quality of sleep, and suppresses daytime sleepiness and cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of continuous positive airway pressure on aerobic performance, as well as on hormonal and metabolic parameters during exercise, in two young adults with Down syndrome and with obstructive sleep apnea, treated or not, after an interval of 5 years. The main result observed is the beneficial effect on the ability to achieve a longer submaximal exercise with higher intensity in subject receiving the treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treatment in people with Down syndrome could improve aerobic capacity and reduce daytime sleepiness.