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Cross-sectional examination of gender differences in depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

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Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in OSA patients, and predictors of mood disturbance in male and female patients. N = 344 consecutive OSA patients (mean age 51.6 SD 14.1 years, 176 women) completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. 42.3% of females reported significant depressive symptoms compared to 32.7% of males, and 29.7% of females compared to 21.4% of males reported significant anxiety. In women, sleepiness, anxiety, and BMI were significant predictors of depression, whereas only sleepiness and anxiety were significant predictors of depression in males. Obesity was a stronger predictor of depression among women, suggesting a complex interaction between weight, sleep, and depression in female patients.

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Abbreviations

AHI:

Apnea–hypopnea index

ESS:

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

HADS:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

OSA:

Obstructive sleep apnea

PSG:

Polysomnography

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Sleep Laboratory staff for their assistance with data collection. MLJ was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia Fellowship (APP1036292).

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Correspondence to Melinda L. Jackson.

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Jackson, M.L., Muruganandan, S., Churchward, T. et al. Cross-sectional examination of gender differences in depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Biol. Rhythms 17, 455–458 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-019-00225-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-019-00225-0

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