0959 Prevalence of Cognitive Deficits in Older Patients with Sleep Apnea Identified by a Sleep Lab Questionnaire and Telephone Interview. (12th April 2019) - Rangu, Sneha
Abstract: Introduction: The prevalence of memory complaints in patients with sleep apnea has important ramifications for patient care. We assessed this using a two-item screen and the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). Methods: Data from the screening database for a multi-site study, Memories2, was used. Subjects ages 60-85 with an AHI or REI≥15 events/hr answered two questions prior to their sleep study: (1) "Does someone help you keep track of your appointments or medications?"; (2) "Do you have, or has someone told you that you have problems with thinking and/or memory?" Subjects were then contacted to complete the TICS; education-adjusted TICS scores below 32 screened as positive for cognitive impairment. Results: We identified 224 subjects age≥60 with an AHI or REI≥15 events/hour who answered the two-item screen: 41.5% (n=93) said "YES" to at least one of the two questions; 27.2% (n=61) said "YES" to question 1; 26.8% (n=60) said "YES" to question 2; and 12.5% (n=28) said "YES" to both questions. We performed a TICS in 29. Reasons for non-completion were: 21.0% not interested (n=41), 58.5% unreachable or other (n=114), and ineligible for parent study (20.6%, n=40). 24.1% (n=7/29) of the TICS were positive for cognitive deficits. Neither of the two screening questions were associated with the TICS score (p=0.69 and p=0.75, respectively). We searched the electronic medical record (EMR) of those who screened positive for cognitive impairment by the TICS, and found that 85.7% (6/7) were previously unrecognized (did not have a documented memory complaint or diagnosis in the EMR). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that 24.1% (7/29) of older patients with an AHI or REI≥15 events/hr had cognitive deficits. 85.7% (6/7) of this group had no prior documented memory impairment diagnosis. This highlights that older adults with sleep apnea may suffer from unrecognized cognitive impairments, and cognitive screening with established tools, such as the TICS, may be warranted. Support (If Any): R01AG054435. Submitted on behalf of the Memories2 Study Investigator Team.