High-risk Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and comorbid OSA (COMISA) increase likelihood of poor functional...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic insomnia, and comorbid OSA and insomnia (COMISA) are treatable comorbidities, yet their prevalence and impact in neurological and psychiatric populations are poorly elucidated. We examined the prevalence of OSA, insomnia, and COMISA in a large cohort from the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute.

Data were collected from five specialized centers at Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute. Patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders were identified as high-risk for OSA (HR-OSA) using the STOP questionnaire, a screening tool based on 4 variables (Snoring, feeling Tired/sleepy during the day, Observed apneas, and high blood Pressure) (score ≥2), high-risk insomnia (HR-Insomnia) using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI, score ≥15), and HR-COMISA (STOP ≥2 and ISI ≥15). Health status was assessed using specific scales for disease severity of each population. Models were adjusted for pre-specified covariates.

We included 6224 patients (mean age 50.3 ± 18.4 years, 58.7 % female); 11.6 % brain tumors, 23.3 % movement disorders, 16.5 % cerebrovascular disease, 16.2 % epilepsy, and 32.4 % psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of HR-OSA was 36.5 %, HR-insomnia 24.6 %, and HR-COMISA 11.7 %. HR-OSA and COMISA were most prevalent in cerebrovascular patients (48.1 %, 13.5 %, respectively), while HR-insomnia was highest in psychiatric patients (33.6 %). Sleep disorder risk was associated with worse disease-specific outcomes.

This study reveals a substantial prevalence of HR-OSA, HR-insomnia, and HR-COMISA among patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders and an association between sleep disorder and disease-based severity. This work highlights the potential value of sleep disorder screening and targeted management strategies in these populations.