0570 Apnea-Hypopnea Index is Positively Correlated with Mood Disturbance

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of mood disorders such as depression is higher in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous studies have found no significant correlation between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and measures of mood and have only included participants who met diagnostic criteria for OSA. The current analysis sought to determine whether mood correlated with AHI in individuals with any AHI values including those that did not meet diagnostic criteria for OSA. Methods 31 volunteers were studied (BMI=29.2±1.0 kg/m2, mean±SE), free from medication and without psychiatric illness or chronic medical conditions with the exception of untreated OSA, uncomplicated hypertension (BP<160/100), or obesity. Following 1-3 weeks of an 8h habitual at home sleep schedule, participants completed the POMS-Brief questionnaire (POMS-B) to assess mood after undergoing overnight polysomnography to determine AHI. Total mood disturbance (TMD) scores were calculated by adding the scores on the POMS-B for each mood state subscale and subtracting the score for vigor-activity. Results The average AHI was 15.3±3.1 (range of 1.1-74.1) events per hour. The average POMS-B TMD score was 21±1.5 (range of 4-46). There was a significant correlation between the POMS-B TMD score and AHI (p=0.037, r2=0.14). This result was also seen in only those individuals with AHI scores >5 (p=0.002, r2=0.4). Conclusion In this sample, individuals with higher AHI values displayed higher TMD scores. These results differ from previous data that showed no significant correlation between AHI and TMD. This is the first analysis to demonstrate a correlation between TMD and AHI while including individuals who didn’t meet diagnostic criteria for OSA. However, the relationship between AHI and TMD was also significant in those with AHI>5. More data on these measures with larger sample sizes and a more equal representation of AHI values should be gathered to provide additional evidence for this relationship. Support: Support NIH R01-HL125893; CTSA UL1TR000128, R21HL140377