Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of nocturnal breathing cessation due to upper airway collapse. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors for OSA, in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Eastern province, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done online in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, where patients with SCD were enrolled to address OSA's risk and predictors using the stop bang questionnaire.
Results: The study enrolled 208 patients with a median age of 29. Of the total number, 46.6% were identified as a low risk for OSA, whereas 11.5% and 41.3% were categorized as an intermediate and high-risk group, respectively. About 42% and 17% experienced three or more painful crises per year to be at high and intermediate risk of OSA, respectively, in comparison to 17.7% as a low-risk one (p value = 0.014). In regression analysis, the number of painful crises and hospitalization was not found to be a predictor for increased risk of OSA (p = 0.288, p = 0.881). Around 64.86% of male participants were found at high risk for OSA as compared to 14.5% in the female group (p value = 0.0001). A clear linear relationship was found between age and body mass index and increased risk of OSA, respectively.
Conclusion: The significant proportion of adult patients with SCD are at higher risk of OSA with similar risk factors found in general populations. Therefore, early screening would result in early diagnosis and disease severity alteration.
Key words: Risk, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, adult patients, sickle cell disease, Saudi Arabia
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