Risk And Symptoms Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among The Adult Population In Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep-related breathing disorder, is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity, reduced quality of life, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 385 adults was conducted in Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was used to record sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, chronic illnesses, and medication use, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess daytime sleepiness. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.

Results: The majority of participants were married (72.7%), Saudi nationals (92.2%), and female (69.6%), and 45.2% were aged 36–45 years. Overall, 42.3% of participants were overweight and 7.8% were obese, with a mean BMI of 29.36 ± 8.55 kg/m². The mean ESS score was 9.56 ± 5.36. In total, 39.0% of participants reported excessive daytime sleepiness; of these, 19.5% had mild EDS, 3.9% had moderate EDS, and 15.6% had severe EDS. Age, female sex, marital status, postgraduate education, overweight status, medication use, and asthma were all significantly associated with EDS (p<0.05). ESS scores showed a weak but statistically significant positive correlation with BMI (r=0.21, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Excessive daytime sleepiness was common among Saudi adults and was associated with a number of demographic and clinical characteristics, most notably elevated BMI. Routine screening for sleep disorders in primary healthcare, alongside efforts to address obesity and other modifiable risk factors, is warranted.