Fatigue and sleepiness determine respiratory quality of life among veterans evaluated for sleep apnea.

Background: In those with symptoms indicative of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) may be an important patient-centered outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired general and respiratory-specific HRQL among persons with suspected OSA.

Methods: We evaluated military veterans consecutively referred for suspected OSA with sleep studies yielding apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values.