Physical Activity is Associated With Reduced Prevalence of Self-Reported Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Large, General Population Cohort Study.

Physical Activity is Associated With Reduced Prevalence of Self-Reported Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Large, General Population Cohort Study.:

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Physical Activity is Associated With Reduced Prevalence of Self-Reported Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Large, General Population Cohort Study.

J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Apr 06;:

Authors: Hall KA, Singh M, Mukherjee S, Palmer LJ

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition with significant symptoms and long-term adverse cognitive, mental health, vascular, and respiratory sequelae. Physical activity has been recognised as a key determinant for good health and has been associated with lower risk of these sequelae. We hypothesized that that increased physical activity may be associated with a decreased prevalence of OSA.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized baseline questionnaire data from the Ontario Health Study (OHS), a population-based cohort of residents of Ontario, Canada. Participants were adults who provided lifestyle, medical, socio-demographic, and sleep health information. The study sample consisted of 155,448 men (39.8%) and women (60.2%). The prevalence of physician diagnosed OSA in this cohort was 6.9%. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of OSA with physical activity. Missing data were imputed using a Multiple Imputation by Chained Equation (MICE) approach.

RESULTS: In multivariable analyses adjusted for potential confounding factors, increased total physical activity (MET-hrs/week) (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.00), vigorous-intensity activity (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.00), and walking (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.00) were all associated (all P ≤ 0.045) with decreased prevalence of OSA. Moderate-intensity activity was not associated with risk of OSA (P=0.826).

CONCLUSIONS: Independent of known risk factors for OSA, including BMI, increased levels of physical activity, including walking, were associated with a prevalence of OSA. Our results highlight the importance of physical activity as a preventive measure for sleep apnea.

PMID: 32248899 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]