Comorbidities associated with high-risk obstructive sleep apnea based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire: a nationwide population-based study

Background/aims: We investigated the prevalence, associated factors, and comorbidities of high-risk obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as determined by the STOP-BANG questionnaire in a Korean adult population.

Methods: Data were obtained from 7,650 adults (aged ≥ 40 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2020). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of socioeconomic status, lifestyle related factors, and comorbidities with high-risk OSA (STOP-BANG score, 5-8).

Results: The prevalence of high-risk OSA according to the STOP-BANG questionnaire was 12.0 %. Older age, male, current smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and more comorbidities were associated with higher STOP-BANG scores. In multivariable adjusted analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.97), hypertension (OR, 4.81; 95% CI, 3.88 to 5.97), and obesity (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.60 to 2.56) were associated with high risk of OSA, and when hypertension, DM, and obesity were combined, the risk increased synergistically (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 2.94 to 5.11).

Conclusion: According to the STOP-BANG questionnaire, the high risk of OSA was more common in males, and was associated with chronic metabolic disease, particularly in those with DM, hypertension, and obesity combined. Active OSA screening, prevention, and management may be beneficial to improving health outcomes related to OSA in these populations.