Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome presenting in the neurology clinic: a prospective 5-year study.

An observational study of cases of obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), both suspected and established, presenting to general neurology outpatient clinics over a 5-year period was undertaken. Only eight new cases of OSAHS, confirmed by sleep studies, were identified, most with neurological problems (poor seizure control, blackouts and headache) in addition to excessive daytime somnolence. OSAHS appears to be a rare cause of new symptomatic neurological presentations, although cases may have been overlooked as judgement was based on the index of clinical suspicion alone.