The Association between Treated and Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
The aims of this study were (1) to determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression and (2) to identify if treated or untreated OSA affects depression levels, in a sample of 51 patients.


METHODS
Participants were 18 years old or older, who were diagnosed with some form of OSA. A survey was administered at a local sleep clinic and via social media, Facebook. A Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8) was used to assess depression.


RESULTS
Overall, 51 participants met the requirements and completed the survey. Participants who were currently not being treated for their OSA had a mean depression score of 18.9 (moderate-severe). In treated mild OSA participants, the mean depression score was 8; in participants with moderate OSA, the mean depression score was 13.7; and in patients with severe OSA, the mean depression score was 13.4. In untreated mild OSA participants, themean depression score was 15.3; in moderate OSA participants, the mean depression score was 17.3; and in severe OSA participants, the mean depression score was 18.4. A two-sided t test (P < 0.05) showed that participants with untreated sleep apnea have significantly higher depression scores than those with treated sleep apnea. Data also showed a higher average depression score among females with untreated OSA (17.3) versus males with untreated OSA (16.7).


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed an increase in depression levels among individuals with untreated OSA, lower depression scores in all levels of severity within treated OSA participants, and females had higher depression levels than men, in both treated and untreated OSA. These data could be useful in the future for physicians when assessing patients for sleep apnea or depression.
['Haddock|Nicole|N|', 'Wells|Mary Ellen|ME|']
D000328:Adult D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
obstructive sleep apnea depression Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy sleep disorders