The Association between Treated and Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression

The aims of this study were (1) to determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression and (2) to identify if treated or untreated OSA affects depression levels, in a sample of 51 patients.

Participants were 18 years old or older, who were diagnosed with some form of OSA. A survey was administered at a local sleep clinic and via social media, Facebook. A Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8) was used to assess depression.

Overall, 51 participants met the requirements and completed the survey. Participants who were currently not being treated for their OSA had a mean depression score of 18.9 (moderate-severe). In treated mild OSA participants, the mean depression score was 8; in participants with moderate OSA, the mean depression score was 13.7; and in patients with severe OSA, the mean depression score was 13.4. In untreated mild OSA participants, themean depression score was 15.3; in moderate OSA participants, the mean depression score was 17.3; and in severe OSA participants, the mean depression score was 18.4. A two-sided t test (P < 0.05) showed that participants with untreated sleep apnea have significantly higher depression scores than those with treated sleep apnea. Data also showed a higher average depression score among females with untreated OSA (17.3) versus males with untreated OSA (16.7).

The results showed an increase in depression levels among individuals with untreated OSA, lower depression scores in all levels of severity within treated OSA participants, and females had higher depression levels than men, in both treated and untreated OSA. These data could be useful in the future for physicians when assessing patients for sleep apnea or depression.