Prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea in Saudi pregnant women

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This case-control study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among Saudi pregnant women. METHODS: The study included consecutive Saudi pregnant women attending the antenatal service between July 2015 and December 2016. Pregnant women were compared with an age-matched group of nonpregnant women. OSA symptoms and risk were assessed using a validated Arabic version of the Berlin questionnaire (BQ). RESULTS: The study included 742 pregnant women and 742 age-matched nonpregnant women. At the time of the survey, 8.2% were in the first trimester; 33.4% in the second trimester; and 58.4%in third trimester. Snoring was reported by 14% of pregnant women, and 5% reported breathing pauses during sleep. Based on the BQ stratification for risk of OSA, 19.3% of pregnant women and 16.6% of the control group were at high risk for OSA. A comparison between the high OSA-risk and low OSA-risk pregnant women revealed that the pregnant women in high risk group were older (30.9 ± 5.9 years vs. 29 ± 5.4 years, P = 0.001), had a higher body mass index (BMI) (34.3 ± 5.2 kg/m 2 vs. 28.7 ± 5.8 kg/m 2 , P < 0.001), and higher parity (1.9 ± 2 vs. 1.5 ± 1.7, P = 0.020). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the following independent variables, BMI (odds ratio [OR] 1.173 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.129–1.219],P < 0.001), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 7.85 [95% CI 1.691–36.447], P = 0.013), and the presence of restless legs syndrome (OR 2.209 [95% CI 1.332–3.279],P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OSA symptoms and risk were relatively common among Saudi pregnant women. Increasing the awareness among physicians about this association is essential to improve early detection of the disorder.

Prevalence and factors associated with restless legs syndrome among pregnant women in middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This could be due to vascular changes and reduced blood flow associated with preeclampsia, which may contribute to the development or worsening of RLS symptoms (78-80). On the other hand, RLS, which is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, can result in the occurrence of preeclampsia by causing apneas or hypopneas, inducing sympathetic activation, endothelial dysfunction, and abnormal placental physiology (50,(81)(82)(83)(84)(85). This can be decreased by increasing ventilation and ensuring an open airway through lifestyle modifications, constant positive airway pressure, or other mechanisms based on individual needs (86, 87).…”

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among Southern Indian pregnant women attending antenatal care

“…8 Some of these studies have notably underscored the Berlin questionnaire as a reliable tool for predicting OSA during pregnancy. 9,10 Nevertheless, there remain unresolved controversies surrounding the risk factors that truly hold significant associations. These issues have yet to be adequately explored, particularly among pregnant women in India, specifically within the Southern Indian population.…”

Knowledge and awareness of obstructive sleep apnea among patients’ families in Saudi Arabia

“…8 However, only a few Middle Eastern research have calculated the prevalence of sleep apnea. 9,10,11 Prevalence of OSA symptoms among the adult population in Saudi Arabia, the median age of the respondents was 30 years with 26.9% of people having OSA symptoms. Mild, moderate, and severe excessive daytime sleepiness were detected in 12.5%, 8.3%, and 6.1%, respectively, according to the severity of OSA symptoms.…”