Risk factors and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in central European Roma and non-Roma patients referred for a diagnostic polysomnography [corrected].

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are common among Roma subjects in Slovakia. We hypothesised that Roma subjects are at high risk to suffer from severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

METHODS

137 non-Roma and 23 Roma subjects referred for a diagnostic polysomnography were consecutively recruited. Overnight polysomnography, anthropometric variables and standard biochemical analyses were analysed.

RESULTS

Obstructive sleep apnoea was diagnosed in 91% Roma and 65% non-Roma subjects (p < 0.001). Roma subjects had higher apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) (61.2 ± 7.9 vs. 22.8 ± 2.3 events/h, p < 0.001), lower dip oxygen saturation (56.7 ± 4.9 vs. 79.3 ± 1.3%, p < 0.001), and higher waist circumference as compared to non-Roma subjects (121.3 ± 3.1 vs. 105.2 ± 2.4 cm, p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, Roma background (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of AHI (R (2) = 0.330). Roma background was associated with significantly higher risk of severe OSA (odds ratio 3.73; 95% confidence interval 1.20-11.65, p = 0.023), independently of age, gender and waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

Among subjects referred for polysomnography, Roma background is associated with significantly higher risk of severe OSA. Knowledge of common OSA pattern in Roma patients may help in identifying high risk individuals and guide early therapy of this disease.