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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk and Mental Health Conditions Among Older Canadian Adults in the Canadian Longitudinal
Tetyana Kendzerska1,2,3, Ranjeeta Mallick3,4, Wenshan Li5
1Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
JAMA Network Open
|February 3, 2026
Summary
High risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to worse mental health in older adults. This study found a 40% increased odds of poor mental health outcomes in individuals with high OSA risk, emphasizing the need for integrated screening.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition in aging populations.
- Plausible biological mechanisms link OSA to mental health disorders.
- Prospective studies are needed to confirm temporal associations in representative samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between high risk of OSA and concurrent and future mental health conditions.
- To evaluate this relationship in middle-aged and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) cohort.
- Included 30,097 participants aged 45-85 at baseline, followed for nearly 3 years.
- High OSA risk identified using the STOP questionnaire; composite mental health outcome included depression, distress, diagnosed conditions, and antidepressant use.
Main Results:
- 23.5% of participants were at high risk for OSA at baseline.
- Over 34% experienced a composite poor mental health outcome.
- High OSA risk was associated with ~40% higher odds of poor mental health concurrently and prospectively.
Conclusions:
- Middle-aged and older adults at high risk for OSA exhibit poorer mental health outcomes.
- Findings highlight the importance of integrated screening and intervention for OSA and mental health.
- This study bridges knowledge gaps regarding the OSA-mental health link in aging.
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