A Prospective Observational Study Investigating the Relationship Between Vitamin D Deficiency and STOP-Bang...

Could a simple sleep questionnaire reveal more than just obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk? Our study suggests it might. OSA is the most prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed sleep disorder. Vitamin D deficiency shares multiple risk factors with OSA, such as obesity, older age, and hypertension. The STOP-Bang questionnaire, a simple, self-report screening tool originally designed to identify individuals at risk for OSA, may also highlight those susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the associations between STOP-Bang parameters and vitamin D deficiency risk among elderly individuals.

This prospective observational study included 451 elderly individuals from the Healthy Aging Project at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Participants completed the STOP-Bang questionnaire for OSA screening and underwent clinical evaluation and blood testing for serum 25(OH)D levels.

There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and body mass index (BMI). Additionally, participants with larger neck circumferences and female sex were significantly more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. In addition, people with more daytime tiredness had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels than did those in the other group.

We suggest screening for vitamin D deficiency among OSA patients with several risk factors identified with the STOP-Bang parameters, such as a larger neck circumference, higher BMI levels, and increased daytime sleepiness, to enable timely interventions addressing vitamin D deficiency and its associated consequences. Further research should investigate the causal relationship between vitamin D deficiency and OSA risk in elderly populations.