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The Association between Treated and Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression
Nicole Haddock1, Mary Ellen Wells2
1a Department of Kinesiology University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte , North Carolina.
The Neurodiagnostic Journal
|March 23, 2018
Summary
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to higher depression scores compared to treated OSA. Treating OSA may reduce depression, with females experiencing higher depression levels than males.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder.
- Depression is a common and serious mood disorder.
- The relationship between OSA and depression requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression.
- To identify if treated or untreated OSA affects depression levels in patients.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 51 adult participants diagnosed with OSA.
- Data were collected from a local sleep clinic and via social media (Facebook).
- Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8).
Main Results:
- Participants with untreated OSA had significantly higher mean depression scores (18.9) than treated participants.
- Treated mild, moderate, and severe OSA patients reported lower depression scores (8, 13.7, 13.4 respectively) than untreated counterparts.
- Females with untreated OSA showed higher average depression scores (17.3) than males with untreated OSA (16.7).
Conclusions:
- Untreated OSA is associated with increased depression levels.
- Treatment for OSA appears to correlate with lower depression scores across all severity levels.
- Physicians can utilize these findings for assessing patients with potential sleep apnea or depression.
Keywords:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapydepressionobstructive sleep apneasleep disordersMore Related Videos
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