Lung Function and Sleep Disorder in General Population: RHINESA Study

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between different respiratory diseases and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, few studies have explored the association between lung function and OSA. Objective: The current study sought to determine the association of lung function with risk of OSA disorder in a general population of middle-aged adults. Methods: We used data from the RHINESSA study (N =960, 51% females) from Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Information on sleep and other participant characteristic was collected using structured questionaries. OSA symptoms, gender, body mass index (BMI), and age was used to calculate the Multivariable Apnea Prediction (MAP) index. MAP index ≥ 0.5 was considered as high OSA risk. Available lung function measurement was FEV1 and FVC. Results: In total, participants 447 (47.7%) had OSA based on the MPA index. The mean age was 29 age range 18-53 years. Those with high risk of OSA had higher BMI mean (±SD) 25 (4.8) vs. 24.5 (3.9) kg/m2, p < 0.001), reported shorter sleeping length (6.8 vs 7.2 hrs/day, p < 0.001) and had more respiratory symptoms as compared to those with low risk of OSA. Each unit (L) increase in lung function, FEV1 but not FVC was associated with lower odds of OSA (OR 0.73, 95%CI 0.57-0.94) and (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70-1.06) respectively, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, smoking and study center. Conclusion: Lower lung function is associated with higher odds of OSA in the general population. Longitudinal studies are needed to see the direction of the effect.