Could an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea be one of the determinants associated with disability in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Purpose: To investigate a possible association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and disability in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 373 individuals (313 with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and 60 healthy). Disability was assessed by the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), and the risk of OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG. Anxiety and depression symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and cognition were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results: Greater disability was found in individuals with intermediate or high risk of OSA, considering healthy individuals (p=0.03), or individuals diagnosed with arrhythmia (p<0.01) or coronary artery disease (p=0.04). A high risk of OSA and higher WHODAS scores was significant among women as well as between OSA risk categories (p<0.01). Cognitive deficit and level of education also showed differences between OSA risk categories. Age, depression, and sleepiness were also associated with the subjects' disability (p<0.01). Gamma regression model showed higher WHODAS scores in female, in those with intermediate and high risk of OSA, and in those with depressive symptoms and cognitive deficit. Age also showed a correlation with higher WHODAS scores. The presence of all investigated cardio and cerebrovascular diseases showed an increase in the WHODAS score, implying a greater disability compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusion: Moderate and high risk of OSA is associated with disability, as well as gender, age, depressive symptoms, cognitive deficit, and cardiovascular diseases.