Prevalence of sleep apnea in HRH Princess Maha Chakri Srinthorn Medical Center, Thailand.

PURPOSE: Many studies have been conducted to find the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Western countries. Limited data have been demonstrated in Asian countries; however, no such data have been reported in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of OSA and their related factors in Thai adults.

METHODS

This study was performed in a university hospital in a rural area of central Thailand and data were collected. The population included office-based workers and people who came to contact with the hospital.

RESULTS

Among the total of 2,685 participants at the baseline examination, a random sample of 199 men and women was studied with employment of overnight full polysomnography to determine the prevalence of OSA and OSA syndrome (OSAS). The percentage of habitual snorers in the study population was 26.4%. The prevalence of OSA (apnea-hypopnea index 5) was 11.4%. When OSAS was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index 5 plus excessive daytime sleepiness, its prevalence was 4.4%. The prevalence of OSA and OSAS in men was 15.4% and 4.8% and in women was 6.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Logistic regression analyses showed that gender, body mass index, age, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and smoking were associated with the risk of OSA.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that OSA is a common problem in the Thai adult population as in Western and other Asian countries. Understanding and treatment may be essential to reduce the risk of related medical problems.