Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its association with quality of life among patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69723/njms.05.01.0640Keywords:
Obstructive sleep apnea, prevalence, quality of life, CPAP therapy, primary care, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mallampati scoreAbstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed sleep disorder associated with significant morbidity, including reduced quality of life and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in underserved regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where diagnostic access is limited.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among primary care patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, assess its impact on quality of life and associated clinical factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up for CPAP-treated subsets. Participants were recruited from primary care clinics in Peshawar, with home-based assessments conducted across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between January 2020 and July 2025. A total of 500 adults were screened using the STOP-BANG questionnaire and Mallampati score. Obstructive sleep apnea was confirmed by home-based polysomnography (PSG), defined as an Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 5 events per hour. Quality of life was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Baseline sleep study parameters—including AHI, Apnea Index (AI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), and sleep efficiency—were recorded, along with clinical measures such as blood pressure, weight, neck circumference, and associated comorbidities. Among patients diagnosed with OSA and initiated on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a subset was followed prospectively for six months to evaluate treatment adherence and clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: A large number of primary care patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, which negatively affects their quality of life and sleep-related parameters. Patients who used CPAP therapy regularly showed clear improvement in clinical and sleep outcomes.
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