ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Otorinolaringologia 2020 June;70(2):51-6

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-6621.20.02259-6

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in patients attending an otorhinolaryngology service in a tertiary care hospital

Olenka ALCAS ¹ ✉, Antonio ASTOCONDOR ¹, Noel ALCAS ²

¹ Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National (ERMNH), EsSalud, Lima, Peru; ² Postgraduate School, Universidad César Vallejo, Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is a condition that is associated with cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic comorbidities. The aim is to determine how many people are at risk of developing OSA and its associated factors.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included adults attending an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic for any reason. The risk for developing OSA was quantified using the Berlin Questionnaire and the variables of interest were described using proportions. Association between variables and being at risk for developing OSA was evaluated using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) by means of logistic regression.
RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-three patients were assessed. The prevalence of being at risk for developing OSA was 44.3%. Multivariate analysis showed association with age >50 years (aOR 1.90; 1.09-3.28), depression/anxiety (aOR 2.60; 1.06-6.38), larger cervical diameter (aOR 1.09; 1.03-1.16), non-visible uvula (aOR 1.74; 1.05-2.88), and somnolence by Epworth scale (aOR 6.15; 3.58-10.56).
CONCLUSIONS: Questionnaires such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, alongside a focused review of systems (high blood pressure, presence of anxiety/depression, and tobacco use), and a correct anatomical evaluation of the upper airway (cervical diameter, non-visible uvula) could lead to a high suspicion for OSA.

KEY WORDS: Obstructive sleep apnea; Sleepiness; Surveys and questionnaires