Nocturnal diaphoresis secondary to mild obstructive sleep apnea in a patient with a history of two malignancies

J Clin Sleep Med. 2013 Jul 15;9(7):717-9. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.2850.

Abstract

Numerous medical disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, may cause nocturnal diaphoresis. Previous work has associated severe obstructive sleep apnea with nocturnal diaphoresis. This case report is of import as our patient with severe nocturnal diaphoresis manifested only mild sleep apnea, and, for years, his nocturnal diaphoresis was ascribed to other causes, i.e., first prostate cancer and then follicular B-cell lymphoma. Additionally, it was the nocturnal diaphoresis and not more common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as snoring, that led to the definitive diagnosis of his sleep apnea and then to treatment with a gratifying resolution of his onerous symptom.

Keywords: Diaphoresis; sleep apnea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / methods
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / complications
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Polysomnography / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Rituximab
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy
  • Sweating / physiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab