[Twenty years follow-up: the correlation between sleep apnea syndrome and cerebrovascular disease].

To explore the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD).A cohort of 1868 people was screened for OSAS, and followed from November 1989 to November 2009. Annual medical examinations including blood pressure, blood fat, serum glucose, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray were performed. Computer tomography was carried out when CVD, the endpoint of the study, was manifested.Among the 1868 elderly people, 598 (32.0%) were confirmed to have OSAS, including 496 (82.9%) males and 102 (17.1%) females. Compared with the non-OSAS group, patients with OSAS had more symptoms including daytime somnolence, headache, decreased ability of memory, aphronesia and allolalia (P < 0.05). CVD occurred in 276 (46.2%) patients of the OSAS group, but in 150 (11.8%, P < 0.01) subjects of the non-OSAS group. During the 20-year follow-up, 817 people died, 66.2% (396/598) in the OSAS group, but 33.1% (421/1270) in the non-OSAS group (P < 0.01).Patients with OSAS are more likely to suffer from CVD. OSAS may be an independent risk factor for CVD.