TY - JOUR T1 - The association between obstructive sleep apnea risk and cognitive disorders: A population-based study. JF - Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine Y1 - 2022 A1 - Shieu, Monica M A1 - Galit L Dunietz A1 - Paulson, Henry L A1 - Ronald D Chervin A1 - Braley, Tiffany J KW - cognitive disorders KW - Dementia KW - effect modification KW - obstructive sleep apnea AB -

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between OSA risk and cognitive disorders among US adults.

METHODS: Data from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were utilized. Probable OSA cases were identified with survey items that resembled critical elements of a clinically validated OSA screen (STOP-Bang questionnaire). Weighted prevalence of cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) and dementia among individuals with and without probable OSA were assessed. Cross-sectional analyses of associations between OSA risk and cognitive outcomes, along with effect modification by race and ethnicity, were estimated using imputed data.

RESULTS: Of the 20,910 HRS participants, 60% had probable OSA. CIND and dementia were more common among adults with probable OSA as compared to those without (12.7% vs. 8.0% for CIND; 3.2% vs 2.0% for dementia). Probable OSA was associated with CIND (OR=1.22, 1.08-1.37) and dementia (OR=1.27, 1.04-1.54). Race/ethnicity significantly modified the association between probable OSA and CIND, with a higher risk for CIND in Whites (OR=1.35, 1.17-1.57) as compared to non-Whites (OR=0.98, 0.81-1.19).

CONCLUSIONS: CIND and dementia are more common among older adults who are at high risk for OSA, as compared to low-risk individuals. These data highlight the importance of consideration of OSA risk in large-scale studies of OSA and cognitive disorders.

VL - 18 IS - 4 ER -