The association between cigarette smoking and obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder linked to excessive daytime sleepiness.
• The connection between cigarette smoking and OSA is not well-established and remains a subject of debate.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for public health initiatives and patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To analyze polysomnographic data and clinical factors in relation to smoking status in a Taiwanese population.
• To determine if smoking is an independent risk factor for OSA.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review of 733 subjects from a sleep laboratory in central Taiwan over 18 months.
• Data collected included smoking status, demographics, BMI, neck circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, and polysomnographic parameters.
• Statistical analysis, including t-tests and adjusted logistic regression, was used to compare smokers and non-smokers.

Main Results:

• Smokers exhibited higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for NREM sleep and total sleep time, and increased snore frequency (p<0.001).
• Smokers also reported higher daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), shorter sleep duration, less deep sleep, and longer snoring duration.
• However, after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, no significant association was found between cigarette smoking and OSA (OR=1.02, 95% CI: 0.66-1.57).

Conclusions:

• The study found no statistically significant link between cigarette smoking and obstructive sleep apnea when controlling for age, sex, and BMI.
• While smokers showed some altered sleep parameters, these did not translate to a diagnosis of OSA after adjustments.
• Further prospective cohort studies are recommended to definitively elucidate the relationship between smoking and OSA.