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The Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression in Older Adults
Mohammad Farajzadeh1, Meimanat Hosseini2, Jamileh Mohtashami3
1Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saqqez, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IR Iran.
Nursing and Midwifery Studies
|September 1, 2016
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) significantly increases depression risk in the elderly. Screening for OSA in older adults is crucial for early detection and intervention to prevent depression.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Depression is a leading psychiatric disorder in the elderly population.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition with an unclear link to depression.
- Previous research on OSA and depression in older adults has yielded conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression in elderly individuals.
- To determine if OSA is a risk factor for depression in the geriatric population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 350 elderly participants residing at home.
- Participants were assessed for depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and for OSA risk using the Berlin questionnaire (BQ).
- Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U, t-test, Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and odds ratio calculations, with matching for age, gender, education, and BMI.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between OSA and depression (P < 0.001, OR = 6.61).
- 60.6% of depressed elderly individuals were at high risk for OSA, compared to 18.9% in the non-depressed group.
- Gender also showed a significant association with OSA (P = 0.008).
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is significantly associated with depression in elderly patients.
- The high prevalence of OSA in older adults necessitates the implementation of screening protocols.
- Early identification of individuals at high risk for OSA can aid in preventing depression.
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