Predictors of health-related quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

Aim. This paper is a report of a study to identify the common symptoms and demographic and physiological factors of obstructive sleep apnoea that are predictive of health-related quality of life in a Chinese population. Background. Health-related quality of life impairment in obstructive sleep apnoea is an increasingly important consideration, but little is known about the factors that influence quality of life in this population. Method. A total of 108 Chinese patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea were recruited in 2003 and assessed for health-related quality of life, daytime sleepiness, depression and anxiety. Associations between symptoms, demographic and physiological factors and quality of life were examined by Pearson linear correlation. Hierarchical multiple regression were used to determine predictors of overall quality of life and its dimensions. Results. Forty-six patients (42.6%) had depressed mood and 21 (19.4%) were anxious. Fifty-nine (54.6%) were hypersomnolent. The severity of symptoms of sleepiness, depression, and anxiety was statistically significantly inversely correlated with each domain and the total score for health-related quality of life. No statistically significant correlation was observed between disease severity and quality of life. Controlling for age and gender, anxiety and sleepiness predicted 45.2% of the variance of overall quality of life (R-2 = 0.452, P < 0.001). Anxiety was the strongest predictor of overall and each domain of health-related quality of life. Conclusion. Assessment of mood in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea should be an essential part of nursing practice. Comprehensive evaluation of symptoms, especially mood disturbance, is important for improving quality of life for these patients.