Cognitive function and life quality of patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in China

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the correlation between cognitive function and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe OSAHS, and to further analyze the impact of cognitive domains on QoL in patients with OSAHS.

Methods: Pearson analysis was applied to explore the correlation between MoCA score and SAQLI score. It was conducted by collecting the clinical characteristics of patients and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Sleep Quality Scale. T-test, a non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney) or chi-square test, and Pearson analysis were used to analyze the relationship between MoCA score and patient clinical characteristics, sleep variables, and SAQLI score.

Results: The SAQLI score of the MCI group significantly decreased. Patients in the MCI group had a higher WHR, higher alcohol intake, and a history of hypertension were firmly related to the poor SAQLI (P < 0.05). The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score increased in the MCI group, and the AHI and ODI elevated significantly, which was related to the poorer SAQLI as well (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Cognitive impairment in OSAHS patients is related to QoL reduction.

Keywords: cognitive function; Montreal cognitive assessment; obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome; quality of life; sleep apnea quality of life index

KEYWORDS:

• Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
• cognitive function
• quality of life
• montreal cognitive assessment
• sleep apnea quality of life index

Article highlights

• Clinical characteristics (WHR, alcohol intake, and history of hypertension) were related to SAQLI.

• The SAQLI4 score of the MCI group decreased significantly.

• MoCA scores are positively correlated with SAQLI scores.

• MoCA scores were positively correlated with REM and Average oxygen saturation, while negatively correlated with AHI and ODI.

• Average oxygen saturation and REM sleep phases in the MCI group were significantly reduced, while AHI and ODI were significantly increased.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions statement

Y. Liu and J. Han were involved in the conception and design, L. Ning and L. Chen were involved in the analysis and interpretation of the data; A. Ke, Y. Zhang, and Y. Liu the drafting of the paper and revising it critically for intellectual content; and the final approval of the version to be published; and that all authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.