The association between anxiety and the degree of illness in mild obstructive sleep apnoea. (3rd July 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lehto, Soili Marianne; Sahlman, Johanna; Soini, Erkki Jaakko; Gylling, Helena; Vanninen, Esko; Seppä, Juha; Viinamäki, Heimo; Tuomilehto, Henri
• Is Part Of: Clinical respiratory journal. Volume 7:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2012-07-03
• Subjects: anxiety -- lifestyle -- obstructive sleep apnoea -- symptom persistence; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Periodicals; 616.24
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-699X.2012.00304.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-6981

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been reported to associate with anxiety, but earlier observations are scarce and the role of the persistence of anxiety in this connection is unclear. Objectives: To examine the associations between OSA and anxiety, and in particular clarify the observations regarding the role of the persistence of anxiety in this connection. Methods: A total of 61 overweight patients with mild OSA participated in a 12‐month lifestyle modification study and reported the presence of anxiety both at baseline and on 12‐month follow up. They were divided into three groups (no anxiety, n = 25; past anxiety, n = 13; persistent anxiety, n = 23), and the degree of illness was assessed with the apnoea‐hypopnea index (AHI). Results: The persistence of anxiety was linearly associated with the AHI ( P = 0.025), which was highest in individuals with persistent anxiety. The likelihood of belonging to the group with persistent anxiety increased 18% for each one‐unit increase in the AHI in a model adjusted for age, gender and bodyfat % (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.34, P = 0.014). Further adjustments for daytime sleepiness and the effect of participating in the lifestyle modification intervention did not alter this finding. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that the persistence of anxiety is independently associated with elevated levels of sleep‐disordered breathing and that lifestyle modification interventions with a focus on diet and exercise alone may not be sufficient to treat OSA in individuals with simultaneous persistent anxiety. Please cite this paper as:Lehto SM, Sahlman J, Soini EJ, Gylling H, Vanninen E, Seppä J, Viinamäki H andTuomilehto H .The association between anxiety and the degree of illness in mild obstructive sleep apnoea .Clin Respir J 2012 ;7 :197 –203 .