Risk of obstructive sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness and depressive symptoms in a Nigerian elderly population

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a primary care population of elderly Nigerians and to determine its correlates.MethodsClinical and demographic data of 414 elderly individuals in a primary care clinic were obtained. Their risk of OSA was estimated using Berlin questionnaire while Epworth sleepiness scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) were also administered.ResultsOf the 414 subjects, 96 (23.2%) met the criteria for a high risk for OSA with a male to female ratio of 1:1. Subjects at high OSA risk (high OSA risk group) were younger than those at low OSA risk (low OSA risk group) (71.4±6.8 vs 73.6±7.7, p=0.011). Mean body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) (27.3±5.8 vs 24.7±5.1, p<0.001) and waist circumference (WC, cm) (90.7±13.1 vs 86.5±13.9, p=0.011) were higher in the high OSA risk group compared with the low OSA risk group. A total of 215 (51.9%) and 62 (15.0%) subjects had clinically significant depressive symptoms (CESD-10 score≥10) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), respectively. On regression, the odds of EDS, depressive symptoms, increased BMI and younger age were significantly higher in the high OSA risk group compared with the low OSA risk group.ConclusionsHigh risk for OSA and depressive symptoms are common in our sample of elderly Nigerians. Depressive symptoms, EDS, BMI and age independently predict high OSA risk in the elderly.

The risk of obstructive sleep apnea and its association with indices of general and abdominal obesity in a Nigerian family practice clinic: a cross-sectional study

“…Demographics, anthropometrics, and clinical characteristics of the participants. prevalence of high risk of OSA among general outpatients was in consonance with several published articles [12,13,18,19] thus buttressing the fact that OSA is common, under-diagnosed, and requires regular screening.…”

“…Thus, there is mounting importance of the role of anthropometrics in predicting the risk of OSA. Previous studies in sub-Saharan Africa have focused on the risk of OSA among the general population [12,13], drivers [14], among specific groups of patients with diseases [15][16][17][18][19]. However, no study has specifically examined which anthropometric measures predict the risk of OSA, although these can easily be measured by simple, inexpensive, validated, noninvasive instruments by trained health-care workers in clinical practice.…”

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Depression and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: More Than Just an Overlapping Symptom

“…In other specific population subgroups, EDS has been reported in 19.1% ( 21 ) of commercial motor vehicle drivers, and in 14.9% ( 22 ) and 15.0% ( 23 ) of healthy elderly people. EDS has been reported in 18.9% ( 24 ) of patients with cardiovascular disease, 55.5% ( 25 ) of patients with type 2 diabetes, 14% ( 26 ) of patients with Fabry disease, 16.5% ( 27 ) of patients with sarcoidosis, and 17.5% ( 28 ) of patients with epilepsy.…”

Depression, obstructive sleep apnea and psychosocial health

“…Advanced age, high BMI and EDS have increased risk factors for OSA and MDD in older people, and these patients present with poorer psychosocial health. 75 Individuals with eating disorders, especially binge eating disorder (BED), are more prone to obesity and OSA. Additionally, the depressive symptoms are higher in patients with associated BED and OSA compared to patients diagnosed with OSA alone.…”