A Study on the Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Northwestern Region of India
Keywords:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) , Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Overlap Syndrome, Prevalence , Polysomnography ,Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) ,North West IndiaAbstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition in India, particularly in the North West region, driven by environmental and lifestyle factors. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a sleep-related breathing disorder, frequently coexists with COPD. This overlap is associated with worse outcomes than either condition alone.
Aims : To find the prevalence of OSA among COPD patients in North West India and asses the quality of sleep along with clinical parameters. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional, hospital-based study included 104 diagnosed COPD patients aged 18–65 years. Data were collected using clinical assessments, spirometry, STOP-BANG questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Apnea-Hypopnea
Index (AHI) from polysomnography. Patients with STOP-BANG ≥5 underwent sleep studies to confirm OSA. Results: OSA was diagnosed in 25% of COPD patients. The mean AHI in OSA patients was 49.56, indicating moderate to severe apnea. Those with OSA had significantly more symptoms like daytime sleepiness and snoring, which were absent in non-OSA patients. Dyspnea was the most common symptom (88.46%) among OSA patients. They also had worse sleep quality (mean PSQI: 13) and elevated STOP-BANG scores. Vital signs showed higher systolic blood pressure and respiratory rates, along with lower SpO₂ levels in the OSA group. Although demographic factors such as age and gender did not show significant differences, clinical comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes were more common in the OSA group. Conclusion: The study reveals substantial burden of OSA among COPD patients in North West India, particularly among those with more severe disease and comorbidities. Recognizing key symptoms like snoring and sleepiness can facilitate early identification. Findings support the integration of sleep quality assessment and routine OSA screening in COPD management is recommended to reduce morbidity and healthcare burden.
