One in five people are “highly likely” to have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – and most have no idea they’ve got it, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Paris-Cité asked 20,151 adults to complete what’s known as ‘the Berlin questionnaire’, which is designed to look for the signs of sleep apnoea.
The study found that 3.5 per cent of participants were being treated for OSA. However, 20.2 per cent of participants were highly likely to suffer with the condition.
The researchers concede that the study is limited by the fact they used a questionnaire rather than sleep clinic testing.
But, reasonably, they say it shows more awareness is needed around sleep apnoea.
What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) happens when your loud breathing stops at night, because your throat partly or completely collapses for a short time.
It leaves you tired and vulnerable to developing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes – and possibly early cognitive decline.
You tend to recover from this momentary collapse with extravagant coughing and spluttering.
Your bed partner will complain about your incessant snoring, you both grumble your way back to sleep – not knowing something more serious is in play.
You’re both left tired – and more vulnerable to accidents on the road or at work.
A stab in the dark
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in Australia isn’t precisely known.
According to a 2019 article in the Australian Journal of General Practice: “The prevalence of OSA is very high in the general adult population, with figures as high as 38 per cent, depending on the population studied and definition used.”
The Victorian government’s online health advice says: “Anyone can get sleep apnoea. It’s estimated that about 5 per cent of Australians have sleep apnoea, with around one in four men over the age of 30 affected. In the over-30 age group, the disorder is about three times more common in men than women.”
Do you have OSA?
The Berlin questionnaire, used in the French study, is a quick and easy way of assessing if you might have OSA.
There are 10 questions, including:
- Do you snore?
- Has anyone noticed that you quit breathing during your sleep?
- Have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep while driving a vehicle?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
The questionnaire can be found here.
Symptoms other than snoring
- Poor-quality sleep – with regular periods of reduced or absent breathing often accompanied by loud snoring and/or gasping for air
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Dry mouth and headaches upon waking
- Poor concentration, poor memory and slow reaction times
- Irritability and mood changes
- Depression and anxiety
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction) and reduced sex drive (libido)
- Need to get up to toilet frequently at night.
If you have any or all these symptoms it’s time to visit your GP.
If he or she finds you don’t have OSA, you most likely have other issues that need investigating.
