Association of daytime sleepiness with obstructive sleep apnoea and comorbidities varies by sleepiness definition in a population cohort of men

Robert J. Adams, Sarah L. Appleton, Andrew Vakulin, Carol Lang, Sean A. Martin, Anne W. Taylor, R. Doug McEvoy, Nick A. Antic, Peter G. Catcheside, Gary A. Wittert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and objective: To determine correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) identified with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a more broad definition, while accounting for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in community dwelling men. Methods: Participants of the Men Androgens Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) Study (n = 837, ≥ 40 years) without a prior OSA diagnosis, underwent in-home full unattended polysomnography (PSG, Embletta X100), completed the ESS, STOP questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in 2010–2011. In 2007–2010, questionnaires and biomedical assessment (in South Australian public hospital-based clinics) identified medical conditions. An alternate EDS definition (EDSAlt) consisted of ≥ 2 of 3 problems (feeling sleepy sitting quietly; feeling tired/fatigued/sleepy; trouble staying awake). Results: EDSAlt (30.4%, n = 253), but not ESS ≥ 11 (EDSESS, 12.6%, n = 104), increased significantly across OSA severity and body mass index categories. In adjusted analyses, EDSESS was significantly associated with depression: odds ratio (OR), 95%CI: 2.2 (1.3–3.8) and nocturia: 2.0 (1.3–3.2). EDSAlt was associated with depression, financial stress, relationship, work-life balance problems and associations with nocturia and diabetes were borderline. After excluding men with EDSESS, EDSAlt was associated with oxygen desaturation index (3%) ≥ 16 and the highest arousal index quartile but not with comorbidities. Conclusion: Sleepiness not necessarily leading to dozing, but not ESS ≥ 11, was related to sleep disordered breathing. Clinicians should be alert to (1) differing perspectives of sleepiness for investigation and treatment of OSA, and (2) the presence of depression and nocturia in men presenting with significant Epworth sleepiness regardless of the presence of OSA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1314-1321
Number of pages8
JournalRespirology
Volume21
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 1 Oct 2016

Keywords

  • depressive disorder
  • diabetes mellitus
  • excessive somnolence
  • nocturia
  • obstructive
  • sleep apnoea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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