Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for preeclampsia-eclampsia

Preeclampsia-eclampsia remains one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has been linked to hypertension in the general population, may play role in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including preeclampsia-eclampsia. However, little research has been conducted in Asia (no data in Thailand) on the effects of OSA on preeclampsia-eclampsia. We aimed to examine the association between OSA and preeclampsia-eclampsia among Thai pregnant women.

We conducted a large prospective cohort study among Thai pregnant women who were in the second trimester of singleton pregnancy. The Berlin Questionnaire was administered to evaluate the risk for OSA. Preeclampsia-eclampsia was diagnosed by standard clinical assessment. Multivariate models were applied in adjustment for confounding factors.

Enrolled were 1345 pregnant women. The overall prevalence of high risk for OSA was 10.1% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 8.5-11.7), and it was significantly associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index and score on the Perceived Stress Scale. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) for preeclampsia-eclampsia in women with high risk for OSA was 2.72 (95% CI 1.33-5.57).

Pregnant women with high risk for OSA are at increased risks for preeclampsia-eclampsia compared to those with low risk for OSA. Our results support a role for screening for OSA by BQ during antenatal care.