Study on the psychologic status and personality traits of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

To explore the personality and character of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients. Subjects, recruited from May 2013 to February 2014, were assigned to the severe OSAHS group (56 cases), mild-moderate OSAHS group (59 cases), and control group (42 cases) on the basis of apnea hyponea index (AHI). Subjects were assigned to the severe hypoxemia group (24 cases), mild-moderate hypoxemia group (91 cases) on the basis of PaO2. The psychological aspects of subjects were assessed by using the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI). Compared between OSAHS group and the control group, differences of 6 clinical scales depression (D), hysteria (Hy), masculinity (Mf), paranoia (Pa), anxiety (A), ego strength (Es) were significant (t value was 2.609, 2.133, -2.294, 2.520, 2.041, 2.675 respectively, all P < 0.05). The scores of OSAHS group were higher than the control group on five clinical scales, depression (D), hysteria (Hy), paranoia (Pa), anxiety (A), ego strength (ES). The scores of OSAHS group were lower than the control group on clinical scale masculinity (Mf). Compared between severe OSAHS group and mild-moderate OSAHS group, differences of 6 clinical scales depression (D), paranoia (Pa), psychasthenia (Pt) anxiety (A), manifest anxiety scale (MAS), dependency (Dy) were significant (t value was 2.460, 2.086, 2.181, 2.121, 2.954, 1.982, respectively). The scores of severe OSAHS group were all higher than the mild-moderate OSAHS group on these six clinical scales. Compared between severe hypoxemia group and the contrast group, differences of 4 clinical scales depression (D), masculinity (Mf), paranoia (Pa), ego strength (Es) were significant (t value was respectively 2.992, -2.221, 2.164, 2.165, all P < 0.05). The scores of severe hypoxemia group were higher than the control group on 3 clinical scales, depression (D), paranoia (Pa), ego strength (ES), and lower than the control group on clinical scale masculinity (Mf). Compared between severe hypoxemia group and mild-moderate hypoxemia group, psychasthenia (Pt) were significant (t value was 1.984). The scores of severe hypoxemia group were higher. Compared with health people, OSAHS patients have special personality and character. The degree of OSAHS can infect the personality and character of OSAHS patients.