Determining the prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea among old Saudis

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to identify the risk factors associated with OSA among old Saudis.

In this population-based survey, we administered the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health to old Saudis between 2006 and 2007. Symptoms of OSA and its associated risk factors were determined using the Berlin questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine key factors associated with the risk of OSA.

Out of 2946 participants, 1544 (52.4%) were at high risk of OSA, with women having a higher risk than men (60.8% vs. 44.2%, respectively; p-value <0.001). Obesity was higher among women than men (40.5% vs. 24.8%, respectively; p-value <0.001). Almost 56% of the participants reported snoring as a risk factor, but there was no statistical difference between women and men (57.3% vs. 53.5%, respectively; p-value = 0.317). The factors identified as independent predictors of a high risk of OSA were the female gender (OR 1.732, 95% CI [1.375-2.182]), living in rural areas (OR 1.384, 95% CI [1.094-1.750]), severe cognitive impairment (OR 2.709, 95% CI [1.350-5.436]), depression (OR: 1.432 95%CI [1.147-1.789]), and antidepressants usage (OR 2.959, 95% CI [1.402-6.244]).

This study reported a 52.4% prevalence of a high risk of OSA. Women were more likely to be at high risk of OSA than men. In addition to the female gender, depression, antidepressant usage, severe cognitive impairment, and living in rural areas were main predictors of OSA.