Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Chile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder that affects nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its high prevalence and clinical impact, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in middle-income countries.

To determine the prevalence and risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and associated symptoms in the Chilean population.

A systematic review was conducted across seven databases to identify studies reporting the prevalence, risk, or symptoms of OSA in Chile. Prevalence estimates were synthesized using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Fifteen studies involving 13,157 participants were included. The STOP-Bang questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were the most frequently used tools. Other instruments, such as the Berlin Questionnaire and sleep quality indices, were used less often. Only three studies employed respiratory polygraphy. The pooled prevalence of moderate-to-high risk of OSA, defined by a STOP-Bang score >3, was 25% (95% CI: 16-34%, I2= 98.4%). The most frequently reported symptoms were snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and witnessed apneas.

The findings reveal a substantial burden of OSA risk and related symptoms in the Chilean population, based chiefly on screening questionnaires. Objective diagnostic methods were limited. These results underscore the need for population-based research using standardized and objective assessment tools to estimate OSA prevalence and inform public health strategies accurately.