Depression and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Abstract

For over two decades clinical studies have been conducted which suggest the existence of a relationship between depression and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Recently, Ohayon underscored the evidence for a link between these two disorders in the general population, showing that 800 out of 100,000 individuals had both, a breathing-related sleep disorder and a major depressive disorder, with up to 20% of the subjects presenting with one of these disorders also having the other. In some populations, depending on age, gender and other demographic and health characteristics, the prevalence of both disorders may be even higher: OSA may affect more than 50% of individuals over the age of 65, and significant depressive symptoms may be present in as many as 26% of a community-dwelling population of older adults.

Chronobiology, excessive daytime sleepiness and depression: Is there a link?

“…One important line of research builds upon findings from several large-scale epidemiological studies, which have demonstrated that approximately 20% of depressed patients exhibit a frequently undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing, mostly obstructive sleep apnea [28,29]. This goes in line with a large number of reports which have gathered data linking metabolic syndrome and, most importantly, obesity and diabetes or insulin resistance, together with elevated inflammatory markers, to both sleep-disordered breathing and depression [30][31][32][33][34][35][36].…”

Obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction: still a neglected risk factor?

“…However, a decrease in libido and excessive fatigue [60] associated with the common symptoms found in OSA patients (i.e., morning tiredness, excessive daytime sleepiness, and mood changes [61]) likely represent a psychologic component involved in the pathogenesis of ED in OSA.…”

Utilizing the <em>DSM-5</em> Anxious Distress Specifier to Develop Treatment Strategies for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

“…Covariate-adjusted remission rates were 15.5% for lower-dose and 28.3% for higher-dose exercise augmentation, leading to an NNT of 7.8. Trivedi et al 48 point out that remission rates with exercise are comparable to those seen with an SSRI/bupropion combination and that their results are within the range of findings that warrant change in clinical practice. According to Dr Trivedi, for a person weighing about 80 or 90 kg, about 1,200-1,400 calories of energy expenditure per week is needed to see an effect.…”

“…The participants agreed that physical exercise can be an effective adjunct, and Dr Weisler pointed to Dr Trivedi's contributions in this area. In a sample of sedentary individuals with SSRI-resistant MDD, Trivedi and colleagues 48 compared two 12-week exercise interventions with energy expenditures equivalent to walking 210 minutes per week at 4 miles per hour or 75 minutes per week at 3 miles per hour. Covariate-adjusted remission rates were 15.5% for lower-dose and 28.3% for higher-dose exercise augmentation, leading to an NNT of 7.8.…”