Prevalence of Symptoms and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in the General Population

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is one of the most common sleep breathing disorders with significant consequences. The present study aims to determine prevalence of symptoms and risk of OSA in the general population of Kermanshah, Iran. Methods: From 2007–2008 by random-cluster-sampling, 527 adult subjects were selected from the urban region of Kermanshah. The age range of the sample was from 20 to 87 years. Assessment was carried-out using the Berlin questionnaire, a valid scale that determined those at “high risk” and “low risk” for OSA symptoms. Common symptoms were later defined. Results: There were 144 (27.3%) out of the 527 subjects with a mean age of 48.6±16.6 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 25.1±3.3 at high risk for OSA (men 19%; women 8.3%); 261 (49.5%) suffered from snoring with a higher frequency among women (51.5%). From those who snored during sleep, 51 (10%) reported a breathing pause more than once per week. Subjects considered at high risk had a clinical history of diabetes (15.3%) and heart failure (16.7%). Conclusions: Prevalence of symptoms, risk of OSA and associated factors in Kermanshah are noticeable. Considering the adverse effects of this condition on quality of life, further research in an effort for early diagnosis and treatment are recommended.