Evaluation of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness with Sleep Apnea and Determining the Relationship Between Life Quality

Abstract

Aim: Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an important health issue characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction affecting many different systems in the human body. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship of daytime sleepiness with quality of life in patients with OSAS. Methods: In this study, adult patients, who underwent diagnostic polysomnography for the first time in our clinic, were included. Data on physical examination findings and demographic characteristics were recorded. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered to the patients. Results: A total of 136 patients with the mean age of 45.5±9.7 (22-68) were included in the study. Thirty four patients were (25%) female and 102 were male (75%). Simple snoring was detected in 30 patients (22.1%), mild OSAS in 24 patients (17.6%), moderate OSAS in 26 patients (19.1%) and severe OSAS was found in 56 patients (42.1%). Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores in patients with severe OSAS were statistically significantly higher than in other patients. The lowest SF-36 scores were observed in severe OSAS patients. Conclusion: The quality of life was significantly decreased in patients with severe OSAS. We assume that quality life was negatively correlated Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.

The effect of breathing exercise on daytime sleepiness and fatigue among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

“…Power analysis was used to determine the sample size of the study. The minimum number of participants required for the expectation that there would be a significant difference at the level of a large effect size (Cohen d = 0.8) in terms of Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores of the reference study [3] was determined as 26 in each group (α = 0.05, 1 − β = 0.80). Considering the losses that may occur during the followup, the number of the subjects for each group was increased to 30.…”

“…Its mechanism is not exactly understood. However, it is recognized as a condition caused by decreased oxygen level and associated sleep disruptions due to apnea and hypopnea during sleep [3]. Along with the poor quality sleep, patients also wake up feeling tired [4] and this fatigue lasts throughout the day, thus, possibly resulting in decreased intellectual activity, memory disorders, and irritability in patients and primarily social isolation and financial and intangible losses such as work and traffic accidents [5].…”