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Published on: October 2, 2019
Association between habitual naps and sleep apnea
Juan F Masa1, Manuela Rubio, Puerto Pérez
1Respiratory Service, San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital, Cáiceres, Spain. fmasa@separ.es
Sleep
|December 14, 2006
Summary
Afternoon napping is linked to a higher prevalence of sleep apnea, a condition that may explain increased cardiovascular risks in nappers. Further research into napping habits could identify individuals needing sleep apnea treatment.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Afternoon napping (siesta) is a common practice with observed associations to increased cardiovascular mortality.
- Habitual nappers share anthropometric similarities with individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea.
- Sleep apnea is a potential contributor to cardiovascular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between habitual afternoon napping and sleep apnea.
- To analyze the relationship between sleep apnea, napping, and hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Caceres, Spain.
- Four hundred five individuals were initially selected, with 90 nappers and 88 nonnappers completing polysomnography.
- Data collection involved telephone interviews, personal interviews, and polysomnography.
Main Results:
- Nappers exhibited a significantly higher frequency of sleep apnea across multiple diagnostic thresholds (AHI > or = 5, 10, 15).
- The adjusted odds ratio for sleep apnea in nappers ranged from 2.8 to 5.5.
- While napping showed a univariate association with hypertension, this link diminished after accounting for sleep apnea in multivariate analyses.
Conclusions:
- Napping may serve as a clinical marker for undiagnosed sleep apnea.
- Sleep apnea could be the underlying factor linking napping to observed cardiovascular diseases.
- Increased clinical attention towards napping individuals is warranted due to the prevalence of napping and the treatability of sleep apnea.
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