[Sleep disorders and stroke: data of the esse-rf study]

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide.
• Sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as potential risk factors and consequences of cardiovascular diseases.
• The association between stroke and various sleep disturbances requires further epidemiological investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between self-reported sleep disorders and the history of stroke.
• To identify specific sleep complaints associated with stroke in a large population-based study in Russia.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 20,357 individuals aged 25-64 years across 13 regions of the Russian Federation.
• Data on stroke history were collected via a questionnaire asking about physician diagnoses.
• Self-reported sleep parameters included sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, snoring, sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness.

Main Results:

• A history of stroke was reported by 2% (422) of the respondents.
• Neither short nor long sleep duration was significantly associated with stroke.
• Complaints of snoring, sleep apnea, and insomnia were more frequent in individuals with a stroke history.
• A combination of sleep apnea and frequent daytime sleepiness showed a significant association with stroke (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.04-2.8, p=0.034) after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions:

• Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and insomnia are more prevalent in individuals with a history of stroke.
• The co-occurrence of sleep apnea and frequent daytime sleepiness may signify more severe sleep disturbances in post-stroke patients.
• These findings highlight the importance of assessing sleep disorders in stroke patients for comprehensive management.