Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome in patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cameroon: Prevalence and associated factors.

Virginie Poka-Mayap,Jacqueline Alime,Eric Walter Pefura-Yone,Andre Noseda,Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi,Dodo Balkissou Adamou,Massongo Massongo,Steve Voufouo Sonwa,Ben Patrick Michel Moutlen,James Andrew Rowley

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227778

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is poorly documented in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the hospital setting. The aim of this study was to determine its prevalence and to investigate the associated factors in patients admitted in a tertiary referral hospital in Cameroon. In this cross-sectional study conducted in the Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology departments of the Yaounde Central Hospital; all patients aged 21 and older were included consecutively. A sample of randomly selected patients was recorded using a portable sleep monitoring device (PMD). OSAHS was defined as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/hour (with > 50% of events being obstructive) and moderate to severe OSAHS as an AHI > 15/hour. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated to OSAHS. Of the 359 patients included, 202 (56.3%) patients were women. The mean age (standard deviation) was 58 (16) years. The prevalence of OSAHS assessed by PMD (95% CI) was 57.7% (48.5-66.9%), 53.8% in men and 62.7% in women (p = 0.44). The median (25th-75th percentiles) AHI, body mass index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of OSAHS patients were 17 (10.6-26.9)/hour, 27.4 (24.7-31.6) kg/m2 and 7 (5-9) respectively. The only factor associated to moderate to severe OSAHS was hypertension [odds ratio (95% CI)]: 3.24 (1.08-9.72), p = 0.036. OSAHS is a common condition in patients in this health care centre of Cameroon. In the hospital setting, screening for OSAHS in patients with hypertension is recommended.

Highlights

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) is recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor responsible for significant morbidity and mortality if untreated [1,2,3,4]
The prevalence of OSAHS assessed by portable sleep monitoring devices (PMD) was 57.7% (48.5–66.9%), 53.8% in men and 62.7% in women (p = 0.44)
OSAHS is a common condition in patients in this health care centre of Cameroon

Summary

Introduction

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) is recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor responsible for significant morbidity and mortality if untreated [1,2,3,4]. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of high risk of OSAHS, assessed by questionnaires, is between 30 and 60%[9,10,11]. The prevalence of OSAHS is even larger in health care setting. It amounts 40 to 80% in developed countries [14,15,16,17]. In SSA, few studies document the prevalence of OSAHS in health care setting [9,18].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion