Types of coping strategies are associated with increased depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Some, but not all, researchers report that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients experience increased depressive symptoms. Many psychological symptoms of OSA are explained in part by other OSA comorbidities (age, hypertension, body mass). People who use more passive and less active coping report more depressive symptoms. We examined relationships between coping and depressive symptoms in OSA.

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64 OSA (respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > or = 15) patients were studied with polysomnography and completed Ways of Coping (WC), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CESD) scales. WC was consolidated into Approach (active) and Avoidance (passive) factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS 9.0 regression with CESD as the dependent variable and WC Approach and Avoidance as the independent variables.

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WC Approach factor (B=-1.105, beta=-.317, p=.009) was negatively correlated and WC Avoidance factor (B=1.353, beta=.376, p=.007) was positively correlated with CESD scores. These factors explained an additional 8% of CESD variance (p<.001) beyond that explained by the covariates: demographic variables, RDI, and fatigue (as measured by the POMS).

More passive and less active coping was associated with more depressive symptoms in OSA patients. The extent of depression experienced by OSA patients may not be due solely to effects of OSA itself. Choice of coping strategies may help determine who will experience more depressive symptoms.