Obstructive sleep apnea and neurocognitive function in a Hispanic/Latino population

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sleep Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition affecting sleep quality and oxygen levels.
• Cognitive impairment is a growing concern, particularly in aging populations.
• Understanding OSA's impact on neurocognition in diverse ethnic groups is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and neurocognitive function.
• To examine this relationship within a large, community-dwelling Hispanic/Latino population in the United States.
• To explore potential sex differences in the OSA-neurocognition link.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 8,059 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 45-74 from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
• Neurocognitive function assessed using Word Fluency (WF), Brief-Spanish English Verbal Learning Test (SEVLT), and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) tests.
• Obstructive sleep apnea defined by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); multivariable linear regression models used.

Main Results:

• A higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was associated with worse performance on all neurocognitive tests (WF, SEVLT, DSS).
• These associations were attenuated by age but remained significant.
• Female sex moderated the relationship, with significant associations observed between AHI and WF, SEVLT, and DSS scores in women.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with diminished neurocognitive function in Hispanic/Latino individuals.
• The findings suggest a more pronounced impact of OSA on cognitive function in Hispanic/Latino women.
• This underscores the importance of screening for OSA in this demographic to potentially mitigate cognitive decline.