Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Daytime Sleepiness, and Sleep Quality in Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Jeong Sik Kim, Joshua Lee, Hyoeun Bae, Joo Yeon Song, Kwang Ik Yang, Seung Bong Hong
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). It also investigated the relationships among these main effects, clinical characteristics, and VNS parameters. METHODS: -tests and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine how the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients influenced the variables that changed significantly after VNS treatment. RESULTS: nadir was a higher frequency of aura episodes at baseline, followed by a longer epilepsy duration. CONCLUSIONS: This study has confirmed that VNS improves seizure control in patients with DRE, whereas it increases obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Furthermore, the increase in OSA is affected by age and the duration of epilepsy. Therefore, careful observation and monitoring of SDB is recommended in patients who undergo VNS.