Comparison of prevalence of OSA in obese vs non-obese-A hospital based observational study.

Abstrakt

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder with obesity as an important risk factor, however, limited data is available regarding its prevalence and severity in non-obese patients.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of OSA, its clinical profile, risk factors, co-morbidities, and severity between obese and non-obese.

Participants: Patients attending Endocrinology, Internal and pulmonary medicine OPD with symptoms and risk factors of OSA.

Study design: Retrospective and prospective observational study.

Methods: This retro-prospective study screened patients using STOP-BANG QUESTIONAIRE and EPWOTH’S sleepiness scale for the risk of OSA. Patients with intermediate to high-risk scores were subjected to polysomnography for evaluation of OSA. Patients diagnosed with OSA were then classified into Obese and Non –Obese groups. 

Results:  Out of 185 subjects, 148 had OSA, of which 32 (21.6%) were non-obese and 116(78.4%) were obese with a mean BMI of 33.63 ± 5.3and 25.17 ± 2.2kg/m², respectively. Female gender, higher neck circumference, loud snoring, easy fatigability, and excessive daytime sleepiness were significantly higher in the obese group (p < 0.05) as compared to non-obese. Co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were more common in obese subjects with OSA.

Conclusion: OSA also occurs in non-obese, though with less prevalence and severity.

Implications: OSA can also occur in non-obese, awareness about which is needed so that early diagnosis can avoid harmful consequences of undiagnosed OSA.