O013 Anxiety and depression in adults referred for diagnostic sleep studies at an Australian tertiary sleep referral centre

Abstract

Abstract Background Depression, anxiety and sleep disorders are frequently comorbid. Our study sought to understand local prevalence of depression and anxiety; and their interaction with sleep disordered breathing, sleep quality and sleepiness. Methods Apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI), arousal index (AI) and sleep efficiency (SE) were extracted from sequential in-laboratory diagnostic sleep studies (n=996) over three years and linked to demographic data and routine patient questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scores (HADS), and comorbidities). Anxiety or depression was either self-reported, or determined by HADS A ≥11 or D ≥8. Regression modelling was used to determine the effect of anxiety and depression on ESS, AHI, SE and AI. Significance was p<0.05 and mean±SD or median(IQR) are reported. Progress/Results Participants were: 49.3% male, BMI 34±8.9Kg/m2, and age 50±17.0 years. Sleep indices were: AHI 18.2(5.3-43.6)/h, AI 17.7(9.8-30.9)/h, and SE 77.2±13.4%. Anxiety alone, depression alone or both were present in 75 (7.5%), 177 (17.8%) and 359 (36%) patients respectively. Raised HADS anxiety/depression scores in the absence of self-reported diagnoses were present in 91 (9.1%) and 136 (13.7%) subjects. The presence of anxiety or depression did not affect AHI, but increased ESS by 2.2 (p<0.001), AI by 3.3/h (p<0.01) and reduced SE by 1.7% (p=0.05) compared to their absence. Intended outcome/Discussion Diagnoses of depression or anxiety are associated with poorer sleep quality and increased sleepiness despite similar AHI. Screening patients for depression/anxiety is suggested given frequent raised HADS scores without a formal diagnosis, and the higher prevalence compared to the general population.