Obstructive sleep apnea risk and psychological health among non-Hispanic blacks in the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) cohort study

Abstract

Introduction This study assessed associations of depression and anxiety with risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among non-Hispanic blacks in the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) study.

Method A total of 1,035 patients participated. ARES^TM score ≥6 defined high OSA risk. Moderate depression was defined by a CES-D score ≥16. Moderate anxiety was measured by a BAI score ≥16.

Results The mean age was 62 ± 14 years; 70% were female. A total of 93% were diagnosed with hypertension; 61%, diabetes; and 72%, dyslipidemia; 90% were overweight/obese; 33% had a history of heart disease; and 10% had a stroke. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age and gender, showed that patients with depression had nearly two-fold increased odds of being at risk for OSA (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.02–2.98, p < 0.05). Patients with anxiety had three-fold increased odds of being at risk for OSA (OR 3.30, 95% CI 2.11–5.15, p < 0.01). After adjusting for marital status and income, patients with anxiety had a 6% increase in OSA risk (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.09, p < 0.05), but depression was no longer significant.

Conclusion Our results suggest that non-Hispanic blacks with metabolic syndrome who experience anxiety and/or depression should be screened for OSA.

Key messages

• This study assessed associations of moderate to severe depression and anxiety with risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among non-Hispanic blacks with metabolic syndrome.

• Patients with depression had nearly two-fold increased odds of being at risk for OSA.

• Patients with anxiety had three-fold increased odds of being at risk for OSA.

Keywords:

• Metabolic syndrome
• non-Hispanic blacks
• obstructive sleep apnea
• psychological health

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

This research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health: R25HL105444, R01HL095799, RO1MD004113, and U54NS081765. The funding source had no role in the design, conduct, or analysis of the study, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.