0617 BED PARTNER APNEA ANXIETY - HIGH IN CHEYNE-STOKES RESPIRATION & OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Abstract

Bed partners are a long-suffering, under-researched population whose observations form an essential part of the clinical assessment of sleep breathing disorders. Concerns regarding key symptoms (snoring, restlessness, apnoea) in different sleep breathing disorder types has not been systematically compared. Aim: Compare bed partner concerns, sleep disruption before and after treatment, hypothesizing that apnea anxiety would be highest in Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) partners c.f. simple snorers and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Consecutive partners of patients completed an in-house questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD7), Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), Sleep quality, level of concern regarding snoring, apnea and restlessness (Likert scale). Defined OSA (AHI>10/hr), Snoring without OSA (AHI≤10/hr). CSR partners were prospectively and retrospectively recruited. Repeat measures 4 weeks post treatment. Of 73 couples screen, 30 formed study group comprising 16 OSA, 9 snorers, and 5 CSR. Most partners (19/30) strong proponents of referral. Partners of OSA patients were equally concerned about snoring & apnea c.f. CSR partner’s whose primarily concern was apnea. In OSA CPAP improved bed partner sleep (pre- 58.1 ± 26.5 and post 29.1 ± 20.1, p = 0.004), reduced concern re/ snoring (pre- 66.9 ± 21.4, post 11.5 ± 12.3, p <0.001), apnea (pre- 59.9 ± 26.4, post 14.2 ± 13.1, p <0.001), restlessness (pre 60.2 ± 6.1, post 27.3 ± 5.7, p = 0.001) & anxiety (baseline GADS-7 4.5 ± 4.1, post 2.9 ± 2.9, p = 0.150). Partners ESS reduced, but not significantly (pre 5.3 ± 3.8, post 3.8 ± 2.3, p = 0.143). Partners of CRS patients had higher concern re/ apnea (75.9 ± 26.7) than OSA (59.9 ± 26.4) & snorers (46.9 ± 30.8). Treatment of CSR reduced anxiety (ns trend). Bed partners are impacted by a range of adverse factors, particularly in the setting of OSA and CSR. Successful treatment improves partner sleep quality, anxiety concern re/ loud snoring, apnea & restlessness. Partner sleep apnea anxiety was greatest in CSR, moderate in OSA and lowest in simple snorers. These measures should be included when evaluating disease burden and treatment response. University of Otago - Deans Research Grant.