Awareness and Sources of Knowledge about Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cross Sectional Survey Study

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 1 billion people globally, significantly impacting quality of life.
• A substantial number of OSA cases remain undiagnosed due to insufficient awareness among the public and medical professionals.
• Patients may not prioritize OSA evaluation due to a lack of accurate information regarding its health consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of knowledge about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among diagnosed patients.
• To identify the primary sources of information patients use to learn about their OSA condition.
• To explore the relationship between OSA knowledge, education, and patient engagement.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 92 patients diagnosed with OSA, referred to the University of Bologna's Dental Sleep Medicine Unit.
• The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, general knowledge of OSA, and its associated medical risks.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify correlations between knowledge levels and educational background.

Main Results:

• Approximately 67.38% of surveyed patients demonstrated extensive knowledge of OSA.
• However, a notable 20.65% of participants exhibited poor awareness of their condition.
• A statistically significant correlation (p = 0.002) was found between higher education levels and greater OSA knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Patient knowledge regarding obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is variable and significantly influenced by educational attainment.
• There is a clear need to enhance the quality and delivery of information about OSA to patients.
• Improved communication strategies are essential for fostering adequate patient awareness and promoting timely medical attention for OSA.