OBJECTIVE

To study risk factors (RF) of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the socio-demographic groups of the population of Chuvashia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An anonymous survey included 2161 residents of Chuvashia (1007 men, 1154 women), aged from 18 to 70 years, average 36.5±13.8 years). Of all included people, 1547 (71.6%) lived in urban settlements, 614 (28.4%) in rural settlements. Exclusion criteria were those under the age of 18 and over 70. Body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m², neck circumference of more than 43 cm for men or more than 37 cm for women, snoring, fatigue/drowsiness during the day, respiratory arrest in sleep and high blood pressure (BP) were considered as SOAS RF. The likelihood of OSAS was determined by the Lausanne NoSAS (Neck circumference, Obesity, Snoring, Age, Sex) test.

RESULTS

RF OSAS were present in 63.4% of respondents. 2.4% of respondents had a BMI of more than 35 kg/m², 162% had a large neck circumference. Snoring was detected in 24.4%, fatigue/drowsiness during the day in 42.2%, respiratory arrest in sleep in 8.1%, increased BP in 19.7%. In men, compared with women, the number of respondents with a high BMI, snoring, and respiratory failure in a dream was significantly larger; women with a large neck size and complaints of fatigue/drowsiness prevailed. The rural residents had more RF OSAS, including higher BMI, large neck circumference and snoring. The probability of OSAS according to the NoSAS score was 13.65%, including 21.35% of men and 6.93% of women, 11.38% of urban- and 19.38% of rural residents. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the OSAS prediction model included gender, age, BMI, the RF sum of four questions from the questionnaire, neck circumference and level of education with a probability of 99.99%.

CONCLUSION

RF OSAS are widespread in the population of Chuvashia, which requires intensification of preventive measures to minimize them and the development of somnological service in the Republic.