Increase in the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea in elderly people

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases with age. However, older adults have limited perception of the symptoms related with poor sleep quality.

To know the frequency and characteristics of age-related OSA in a large population with clinical suspicion of sleep apnea.

We conducted a retrospective study. OSA was studied by respiratory polygraphy (RP). Patients were grouped by age (G): GI was between 18-45; GII: 46-65 and GIII > 65 years old. Other demographic characteristics, symptoms and RP indicators were compared. Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) was used to analyze symptoms.

We included 2491 patients with sleep apnea symptoms. OSA frequency (AHI > 15) in each group was 33.2 % in GI; 45.8 in GII and 50.3 in GIII (p < 0.001). Despite the significant increase in OSA severity, GIII group reported fewer symptoms (ESS: 6.0; p < 0.001). Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that the odds ratio of having OSA is three times as high at age > 65 (OR: 3.32 (2.29 - 4.88) p < 0.001).

As in previous reports, OSA prevalence in our population was higher among the elderly. The early identification of this syndrome in a population with poor perception of symptoms would aid to improve patient management.