Potentially Undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Men in the United States

ObjectivesThe purposes of this study were to: (1) identify the prevalence of diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among overweight/obese non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men ages ≥40 years with ≥1 chronic condition; and (2) examine factors associated with potentially undiagnosed OSA among these men.SettingUsing an internet-delivered survey, data were analyzed from 942 overweight/obese Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions.MethodsApproximately 35% reported an OSA diagnosis; 65% were believed to have potentially undiagnosed OSA because of being overweight/obese, snoring loudly, and/or stopping to breathe while sleeping. A logistic regression was fitted to examine the association with potentially undiagnosed OSA, adjusting for sociodemographics, disease characteristics, health status, social support, and lifestyle behaviors.ResultsMen with more trouble falling asleep (OR=0.94, P<.001), fewer chronic conditions (OR=0.83, P<.001), obesity (OR=0.56, P<.001), and engaged in ≥150 minutes/week of physical activity (OR=0.69, P=.029) were less likely to have potentially undiagnosed OSA. Greater reliance on others to manage problems predicted higher odds of undiagnosed OSA (OR=1.03, P=.040), whereas frequently receiving needed health-related support were less likely to have potentially undiagnosed OSA (OR=0.67, P=.007).ConclusionsOSA may remain unrecognized among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with less severe disease profiles and mild disordered breathing symptomatology. Findings highlight the need for routine OSA screening and strategies to reduce disease self-care barriers among men with chronic conditions.