Factors influencing depression in adults with obstructive sleep apnea according to sleep duration

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that significantly affects mental health and often leads to depression. Despite the growing body of research, a significant gap remains in understanding the factors influencing depression in adults with OSA, particularly regarding the role of sleep duration. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors affecting depression in adults with OSA, focusing on sleep duration.

Methods: This descriptive study was a secondary analysis of data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2022. It included 3,048 participants, categorized based on their risk of OSA and sleep duration. The STOP-Bang tool was used to assess OSA risk, and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: We found significant differences in factors such as snoring, fatigue, observed apnea, hypertension, age, and sex based on the degree of OSA and sleep duration. Participants with inappropriate sleep duration exhibited severe depressive symptoms, highlighting the critical role of sleep duration in managing depression among patients with OSA.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical role of sleep duration in depression management among OSA patients and provide a basis for developing targeted and individualized interventions.