Global Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Elderly and Related Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study.

PURPOSE: The aims of current meta-analysis was to combine data and statistics on the global prevalence of OSA and related factors in older adults.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

To find related studies, various databases were searched including Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), MagIran, and SID (two local databases) using appropriate keywords, MeSH and controlled vocabulary, with no time limitation up to June, 2021. Heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using I2, and Egger's regression intercept was used to detect publication bias.

FINDINGS: 39 studies with a total sample size of 33,353 people were included. The pooled prevalence of OSA in older adults was 35.9% (95% confidence interval: 28.7%-43.8%; I2 = 98.81%). Considering the high heterogeneity of included studies, subgroup analysis was conducted and yielded the most prevalent in Asia continent with 37.0% (95% CI: 22.4%-54.5%; I2 = 97.32%). However, heterogeneity was remained at high level. In the majority of studies, OSA was significantly and positively related to obesity, increased BMI, age, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study showed that global prevalence of OSA in older adults is high and is significantly related to obesity, increased BMI, age, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and daytime sleepiness. These findings can be used by experts working on the diagnosis and management of OSA in the geriatric population. These findings can be used by experts on the diagnosis and treatment of OSA in the older adults. Due to high heterogeneity, findings should be interpreted with great caution.