Sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnoea and triple screen test results in pregnancy

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between sleep quality, sleep apnoea and triple screen test results. This was an observational descriptive research study. The STOP questionnaire and the STOP-BANG questionnaire were performed to assess obstructive sleep apnoea risk and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to evaluate sleep quality. The average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of the participants was 5.92 ± 3.26. According to the STOP test, 11.40% (87) of the pregnant women had a high risk of OSAS, and, according to the STOP-BANG test, 32 participants were under high risk of OSAS. An increased risk was detected in 1.30% of the participants in terms of Trisomy18 and in 1.60% in terms of neural tube defects. A direct and significant relationship was detected between Trisomy 21 risk and STOP-BANG score. This is the first study to show this relationship. Sufficient evidence needs to be collected on this issue. Testing in earlier weeks of pregnancy and in the conception period may allow more meaningful assessment of the relationship of OSAS with chromosomal abnormalities.

IMPACT STATEMENT

• What is already known on this subject? There is a link between OSAS and epigenetic changes. Components of the triple screen test, levels of serum total β-hCG and unconjugated oestriol are increased in OSAS.

• What do the results of this study add? An increase in Trisomy 21 risk is correlated with increased OSAS risk. Alpha Fetoprotein levels were higher in the low OSAS risk group.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This is the first study to show this relationship. Sufficient evidence needs to be collected on this issue. Treatment of OSAS may be necessary during pregnancy.

Keywords:

• Down syndrome
• laboratory medicine
• neonatology
• risk assessment
• screening
• sleep disorders

Acknowledgements

The authors thank to Mrs Nazli Demirci (Philologist) for her participation in language editing of the manuscript.

Ethical approval

The approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the hospital.

Author contributions

Mehmet Aktas collected data and participated in writing of manuscript. Hakan Demirci designed the study and participated in writing of manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).