Sleep-disordered breathing and self-reported general health status in Thai patients

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been a rapidly increasing health problem in Thai. Its effect on quality of life of Thai patients has not been adequately addressed. Objective: Determine the relationship between SDB and self-reported general health status in Thai patients. Materials and methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was used. Two hundred and sixtyeight patients (195 men and 73 women, age: 16-82 years) are recruited from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between January 2006 and December 2007. A health profile was obtained by self-administered questionnaire. SDB severity was assessed using an attended single-night comprehensive polysomnography. Results: SDB was not directly associated with the general health status. Presence of excessive daytime sleepiness, which was the major symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, was associated with a decrease in all domains of Short Form 36. Age, sex, and body mass index were also related to a lower physical function. Hypertension and excessive daytime sleepiness were associated with the severity of SDB. Conclusion: SDB is indirectly related to a lower general health status, and this relationship is of clinical significance.