Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in an Asian bariatric population: an underdiagnosed dilemma

Obesity is a growing health problem that has become a global epidemic. Serial population studies have shown the same in Malaysia, where the prevalence of obesity increased rapidly in the last decade. Currently, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment in patients with morbid obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorder seen in obesity.

We aim to ascertain the prevalence and severity of OSA in Asian patients who underwent bariatric surgery and were seen in our center.

The study was conducted in our university hospital.

Study approval was obtained from our institutional review board for a retrospective chart review. A total of 226 patients were included in this review. OSA was noted as absent or present and graded from mild to severe. The patient population was stratified by body mass index according to the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian population.

The overall sample prevalence of OSA was 80.5%. Of these, 24.3% had mild OSA, 23.9% had moderate OSA, and 32.3% had severe OSA. Only 17.3% have been diagnosed with OSA before bariatric workup. Among men, the prevalence of OSA was 93.7% and 75.5% among women.

Based on these findings, Asian patients undergoing bariatric workup should be considered for routine polysomnography to enable treatment of OSA.