Obstructive sleep apnea in young Asian adults with sleep-related complaints

This study aimed to investigate the proportion of young OSA adults with sleep-related complaints in a sleep center, affiliated with a tertiary medical center for over a decade. This study presents a chronicle change in the numbers of young adults receiving polysomnography (PSG) and young patients with OSA from 2000 to 2017. We further analyzed 371 young patients with OSA among 2378 patients receiving PSG in our sleep center from 2016 to 2017 to capture their characteristics. Young adults constituted a substantial and relatively steady portion of examinees of PSG (25.1% +/- 2.8%) and confirmed OSA cases (19.8 +/- 2.4%) even though the total numbers increased with the years. Young adults with OSA tend to be sleepier, have a greater body mass index, and have a higher percentage of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. They also complained more about snoring and daytime sleepiness. They had a higher apnea-hypopnea index on average and experienced more hypoxemia during their sleep, both in terms of duration and the extent of desaturation. Even though the prevalence of comorbidities increased with age, hypertension in young male adults carried higher risks for OSA. Young adults with OSA have constituted a relatively constant portion of all confirmed OSA cases across time. The young adults with OSA were heavier, more symptomatic, and with more severe severity.Clinical trial: The Institutional Review Board of Taipei Veterans General Hospital approved the study (VGHIRB No. 2018-10-002CC). The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03885440.

Automated summary

This study investigated the proportion of young adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep-related complaints in a sleep center over a period of 17 years. The results showed that young adults constituted a significant portion of individuals undergoing polysomnography (PSG) and confirmed OSA cases, with a relatively constant proportion over time. Young adults with OSA were found to be sleepier, have a higher body mass index, and engage more in smoking and alcohol consumption. They also reported more snoring and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, they exhibited higher levels of apnea-hypopnea index and experienced more hypoxemia during sleep compared to other age groups. The study highlights the importance of recognizing OSA in young adults and the need for tailored treatment plans.