Obstructive sleep apnea and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis in women.

Abstract

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the frequency of BPS/IC seen in women diagnosed with OSA and in women without OSA. The study included a patient group of women with OSA and a control group of women without OSA. All the study participants were administered the Berlin Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), and the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI). Differences between the women with OSA and thecontrol group were examined. The study sample consisted of 46 women with OSA and 46 controls.No significant difference was determined between the OSA and control groups concerning age and body mass index (p = 0.810, p = 0.060, respectively). The ESS was greater in the OSA group than in the control group (p = 0.007).The median (IQR) ICSI was8 (4-11.25) in women with OSA and5 (1.75-7.15) in controls (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) ICPI was7 (6.00-10.25) in women with OSA and6(1.75-8.00) in controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ICSI symptoms and subsequent problems in daily life caused by the symptoms (ICPI) were experienced at a higher rate in patients withOSA than in the control group. There is an association between BPS/ICand OSA.