Abstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects a considerable proportion of adults globally and is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Given the lack of epidemiologic data on the burden of OSA in Kuwait, this study sought to estimate its prevalence, associated risk factors, and comorbid conditions among a working population in Kuwait.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a sample of working adults (n = 651) from public institutions in Kuwait. High/low risk for OSA was ascertained according to the Berlin Questionnaire criteria. Participants self-reported their coexisting health conditions. Associations were assessed using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation; adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.Results: Overall, 20.0% (130/651) of participants were classified as being at high risk for OSA, with more male than female subjects being at high risk (24.0% [56/233] vs. 17.7% [74/418], P = 0.053), though this difference did not gain statistical significance. Moreover, a high risk for OSA was more common among older and obese subjects. Factors associated with increased prevalence of a high risk for OSA included current smoking status (aPR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02–2.06), longer hours spent watching television (1.76, 1.10–2.81), and lower self-perceived physical health (2.11, 1.15–3.87). However, decreasing trends in the prevalence of high risk for OSA were observed with frequent engagement in vigorous physical activity and longer nightly sleep duration. Compared to those at a low risk for OSA, the subjects at high risk for OSA were more likely to have insomnia disorder (2.83, 1.81–4.41), diabetes (1.94, 1.15–3.27), hypertension (3.00, 1.75–5.16), and depression (4.47, 1.80–11.08).Conclusion: This study estimated that 1/5 of working adults in Kuwait were at high risk for OSA, and the prevalence varied according to personal characteristics and lifestyle factors. Also, a high risk for OSA classification was associated with multiple comorbid health conditions.
Highlights
Sleep disorders are broadly defined as medical disorders affecting sleep quality and quantity that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, reduced quality-of-life, and impaired physical and mental functioning [1, 2]
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of being at a high-risk for Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to determine the potential associated risk factors and comorbidities among a working population in Kuwait
Based on the Body mass index (BMI) categories, 13.7% (85/620) and 8.1% (54/620) of the study participants were classified as belonging to obesity class I and obesity class II/III, respectively (Table 1)
Summary
Sleep disorders are broadly defined as medical disorders affecting sleep quality and quantity that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, reduced quality-of-life, and impaired physical and mental functioning [1, 2]. Signs and symptoms of sleep disorders may include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep, and difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep [1, 3]. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and major sleep disorder that is characterized by frequent and repeated episodes of partial (hypopnea) or complete (apnea) collapses of the upper airway during sleep that interrupt normal breathing [4]. Snoring is the most common symptom experienced during sleep that is associated with OSA, whereas daytime symptoms include fatigue, excessive sleepiness, morning headaches, and poor concentration [5, 7, 8]. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects a considerable proportion of adults globally and is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Given the lack of epidemiologic data on the burden of OSA in Kuwait, this study sought to estimate its prevalence, associated risk factors, and comorbid conditions among a working population in Kuwait
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