Determinants of sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea

Significant interindividual variability in sleepiness is observed in clinical populations with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This phenomenon is only partially explained by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Understanding factors that lead to sleepiness is critical to effective management of patients with OSA. We examined demographic and other factors associated with sleepiness in OSA.

Prospective study of 283 patients with newly diagnosed OSA by polysomnography (AHI ≥ 5 per hour). Subjective sleepiness (Epworth Sleep Scale [ESS] ≥ 11) and objective sleepiness (psychomotor vigilance task [PVT] mean lapse ≥ 2) were assessed.

Participants were classified into four groups (1: sleepy by ESS and PVT, 2: sleepy by PVT only, 3: sleepy by ESS only, and 4: nonsleepy reference group) and compared by generalized logit model. Shorter daily sleep duration by actigraphy and less morningness were associated with higher risk of sleepiness (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.82 and OR = 0.89, CI 0.80-0.98, respectively). African-American race was associated with sleepiness (group 1, OR = 8.8, CI 2.8-27.3; group 2, OR = 16.6, CI 3.3-83.6; and group 3, OR = 3.3, CI 1.0-10.1). IL-6 level was higher in groups 1 and 3 (OR = 1.9, CI 1.0-3.4 and OR 2.0, CI 1.1-3.7, respectively).

African-American race, short sleep duration, chronotype, and increased proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 level were associated with sleepiness in OSA. These findings will inform future investigations determining mechanisms of sleepiness in OSA.