Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Anxiety or Depression

Abstract

In our study, the relationship between OUAS and anxiety or depression was evaluated. Two hundred and four patients (101 female, 103 male) to whom polysomnography was performed were accepted to the study. Patients filled a questionnaire containing OUAS symptoms and Epworth sleepiness scale, Beck anxiety and depression scale. Comparing control group, mild, moderate and severe OUAS groups, anxiety scores were highest in the control group and were found to decrease with the increase in OUAS severity. Comparing the groups for depression scores, moderate OUAS group had the highest scores, followed by control and mild OUAS groups. Severe OUAS group had the lowest depression scores. There were significant differences among the groups with regard to anxiety and depression scores. In control group there were no significant differences between males and females with regard to anxiety and depression scores. Whereas in OUAS group, anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher in females. As a result, anxiety and depression scores were negatively correlated with OUAS severity. Cognitive functional impairment in severe OUAS patients and the scales evaluating anxiety and depression were considered to be a reason for this situation.