Alcohol as an independent risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea

To determine if alcohol consumption is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nocturnal oxygen desaturation.

This case-control study evaluated patients with confirmed OSA and a control group using polysomnography (PSG). Two doctors who have worked in this field for more than 5 years provided a blinded interpretation of the patients' monitoring results. Logistic regression models were used to identify the odds ratio (OR) for alcohol consumption on OSA.

A total of 793 patients were enrolled in this study. Compared with those who did not consume alcohol, those consuming alcohol had a higher risk of OSA (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.30-3.17) after adjustment. Regarding the risk of OSA after adjusting for former drinkers and current ones, the ORs were 1.96 (95% CI 1.19-3.22) and 2.22 (95% CI 1.06-4.63), respectively. And the P for trend = 0.002. The β of former drinkers and the current ones were 3.448 and 4.560 after adjustment; P for trend was 0.006. The relationship may have gender difference, and alcohol consumption was associated with AHI in female significantly (β = 10.190 and 15.395 for former and current drinkers, respectively, in females after adjustment, P for trend = 0.002).

In this study, we found that alcohol consumption was an independent risk factor of OSA and OSA with hypoxia, and alcohol consumption was related to AHI significantly after adjustment, especially in female. In order to reduce the risk and severity of OSA, it is suggested that people should avoid drinking, and drinkers should abstain from drinking.