Obesity, Sex, Snoring and Severity of OSA in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Sleep disorders have been related to body weight, social conditions, and a number of comorbidities. These include high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both of which are prevalent in the First Nations communities. We explored relationships between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and risk factors including social, environmental, and individual circumstances. An interviewer-administered survey was conducted with adult participants in 2018–2019 in a First Nations community in Saskatchewan, Canada. The survey collected information on demographic variables, individual and contextual determinants of sleep health, and objective clinical measurements. The presence of OSA was defined as an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5. Multiple ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine relationships between the severity of OSA and potential risk factors. In addition to the survey, 233 men and women participated in a Level 3 one-night home sleep test. Of those, 105 (45.1%) participants were reported to have obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 5). Mild and moderately severe OSA (AHI ≥ 5 to <30) was present in 39.9% and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30) was identified in 5.2% of participants. Being male, being obese, and snoring loudly were significantly associated with severity of OSA. The severity of OSA in one First Nation appears relatively common and may be related to mainly individual factors such as loud snoring, obesity, and sex.

Sleep Efficiency and Sleep Onset Latency in One Saskatchewan First Nation

“…The baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health Project (FNSHP) was completed between 2018 and 2019 in collaboration with the two Cree First Nations (Community A and Community B) in Saskatchewan, Canada. The methods were published elsewhere [ 64 , 65 , 66 ] and are only briefly described here. The overall goal of the FNSHP was to study the relationships between sleep disorders, risk factors, and co-morbidities and to evaluate local diagnosis and treatment.…”

STOP-Bang Score and Prediction of Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada

“…The baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health Project (FNSHP) was completed between 2018 and 2019 in collaboration with two Cree First Nation communities (Community A and Community B) in Saskatchewan, Canada. The methods were presented elsewhere [ 16 , 17 , 18 ] and are briefly described here. The overall goal of the FNSHP was to study the relationships between sleep disorders, risk factors and co-morbidities, and to evaluate local diagnosis and treatment.…”

Obstructive sleep apnea in aboriginal Australians: polysomnographic outcomes and symptom perception post-continuous positive airway pressure implementation

“…Moreover, recent studies from the Top End, NT of Australia have reported that Aboriginal Australians demonstrate a higher overall severity of OSA, in the presence of concurrent medical comorbidities, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal disease, and diabetes [ 23 , 24 ]. From a global perspective, there are only a small number of studies that have investigated OSA among First Nations Indigenous peoples [ 25 , 26 ]. However, studies from the New Zealand First Nations Māori have demonstrated a higher proportion of poor sleep quality and higher levels of OSA [ 27–29 ].…”