P189 HYPERTENSION AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME IN ADULTS WITH HEART FAILURE IN NIGERIA: CLINICAL CORRELATES AND ASSOCIATION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Abstract

Rationale: Heart failure (HF) is a common endpoint for cardiovascular diseases. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypertension is a leading cause of HF; a significant proportion of HF patients also have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) which is known to impact clinical outcomes adversely. The diagnosis of OSAS is often missed due to inadequate clinical diagnosis and diagnostic backup. This study aims to add to the body of evidence thereby improving outcomes in HF patients. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 200 consenting adults with HF at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Each participant had relevant medical history, physical examination (including a six-minute walk test distance) and relevant investigations. OSAS was diagnosed using high-risk scores obtained using Berlin and STOP-Bang questionnaires, daytime somnolence was assessed by Epworth questionnaire and quality of life by Minnesota living with HF questionnaire. Comorbidities were assessed using Charlson comorbidity index (CCI)) and hospitalizations in the preceding 12 months documented. Data was analyzed using Stata version 13. Results: Hypertension was the aetiology of HF in 41% of the study population and 62.8% of the subset with OSAS (p=0.001). OSAS was identified in 47% and 45.5% by high-risk scores obtained using Berlin and STOP-Bang questionnaires respectively. Significant daytime somnolence was identified in 56.0% of the study population and 93.6% of those with OSAS, (p<0.001). Those with OSAS had a significant association with hypertension (p=0.001), atrial fibrillation (p<0.001), obesity (p=0.002), higher comorbidity index (p=0.001), HF with preserved ejection pattern (p=0.001) and NYHA ≥3 (p<0.001). OSAS was significantly associated with six-minute WTD ≤ 300m, hospitalizations (p<0.001) and sub-optimal quality of life (p=0.003). Conclusion: Hypertension and OSAS are significantly associated and are common in HF. It is recommended to routinely screen HF patients for OSAS as the diagnosis is often missed with consequent adverse clinical outcomes. This will facilitate prompt diagnosis, enhance management and favourable clinical outcomes in HF patients.