A Look into Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Ethiopians

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is prevalentthroughout the world. However, there are currently limited dataconcerning the prevalence of OSA in populations that originatefrom developing countries; the prevalence of OSA is expected torise in these countries. OSA is poorly characterized amongstEthiopians, and our study is the first to describe clinicalcharacteristics of OSA among Ethiopians.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of primarilyEthiopian patients at an internal medicine clinic in Rockville,Maryland. All patients (n=24) were evaluated for daytimesleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and receivedphysical examinations and polysomnograms (PSG) by eitherportable monitoring (Itamar WatchPAT 200 device) or in-lab.Statistical analyses were performed in R.RESULTS: Linear regression model of Body-Mass Index (BMI)and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) indicated that for every 1-unitincrease in BMI, there was a 0.8657-unit increase in AHI (p<0.05).Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicateda positive linearrelationship between BMI and AHI (0.47) (p<0.05). Adjustedlinear regression model for AHI and oxygen saturation indicatedthat for every 1-unit increase of AHI, there was a 0.8452-unitdecrease in nocturnal oxygen saturation (p<0.05). Pearson’scorrelation coefficient did not demonstrate significance betweenAHI and oxygen desaturation (p=0.062). Patients received eithercontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (n=15) or oralappliance therapy (n=3).CONCLUSION: All patients who complied with therapy reportedimproved sleep quality, snoring resolution, and improved daytimealertness. Practitioners in developing countries should suspectOSA in the right clinical setting and offer diagnostic andtherapeutic services when available.