Smartphone Addiction and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Evaluation of the Possible Association

Background: Smartphones and other electronic devices have become a large part of our day-to-day lives, and their influence on our lifestyle is not a matter anyone can disregard. This study evaluates the association between the smartphone addiction scale (SAS) and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) with adjustment for possible confounders. Methods: Sixty patients of a sleep clinic with recent polysomnography results ( 6 months) who were referred for evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were included in the study. The participants’ demographic data such as body mass index (BMI), age, gender, and educational level were collected. Participants were then asked to complete the SAS. AHIs of the study participants were extracted from their polysomnography reports. Results: Multivariable analysis revealed no significant association between SAS and AHI after adjustment for demographic variables (beta=0.006, 95% CI=-0.022 to 0.033, P=0.678). Age was a substantial confounder of the association (beta of SAS after adjusting=0.009). Conclusion: Smartphone use does not affect the risk of OSA, as determined by AHI when adjusted for age.