One In Four Americans At High Risk For Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Main Category: Muscular Dystrophy / ALS
Article Date: 13 Sep 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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New research from the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America Poll 2005 shows that as many as one in four Americans appears to be at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The survey, embedded with the Berlin Questionnaire, collected information from 1,506 participants regarding snoring, witnessed apneas, daytime sleepiness, and height and weight. Researchers found that 26 percent of respondents met the Berlin Questionnaire criteria as being high risk for OSA. The population of obese individuals showed a 57 percent risk. Fifty-nine percent reported snoring; 6 percent reported witnessed apneas. Daytime sleepiness was common in 26 percent, and 32 percent reported driving drowsy one or more times per month. Researchers suggest that efforts to expedite diagnosis and treatment are needed. This study appears in the September issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.

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Newsbriefs from the journal CHEST, September 2006

Contact: Deana Busche
American College of Chest Physicians

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