Sleep Apnea Questionnaire Study: An Internet Based Survey

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in the Indian population has increased. Despite this surge, the awareness of OSA in our population is low. Aims: To determine the predisposing risk factors and awareness of OSA in an unselected Indian population. Methods: An Internet-based questionnaire consisting of 14 questions pertaining to various facets of OSA was administered to 1006 subjects via several social media platforms. Given the difficulties in measuring neck circumference in an internet-based survey, a STOP-BAG score was calculated instead of a STOP-BANG score. Increased risk of OSA was defined as a STOP-BAG score of >4. Data was collected and submitted for multivariate analysis. Results: Individual components of the STOP-BAG score like BMI>35 (p=0.005), tiredness (p=0.0054), apneic spells (p=0.002), the presence of snoring and daytime somnolence (p=0.005), age >50 years (p=0.0022) and male gender (p=0.022) were observed to be independent predictors of increased risk of OSA. Smoking(p=0.0047) and BMI>25(p=0.008) were also seen to be predictors of increased OSA risk in our population. Awareness of OSA was seen more in subjects Conclusion: We would like to report the first internet-based study from India looking at the profile of OSA in an unselected Indian population. There exists a significant lack of knowledge in the Indian population regarding OSA. The significance of risk factors like smoking and BMI>25 was far greater in Indians as compared to the Western population.