Prevalence of symptoms and risk of sleep apnea in Dubai, UAE

Abstract

PurposeThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks 18th on the 2007 Forbes list of fattest countries with 68.3% of its citizens with an unhealthy weight and it is well known that weight gain and obesity are important determinants in the progression of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of symptoms and risk of OSAS in the primary health care setting in Dubai, and the relationship between obesity and sleep apnea.MethodsIn this prospective survey, a trained medical nurse administered the Berlin Questionnaire to a consecutive random sample of patients in the age group older than 14 years, who attended the primary health care center in Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE, from September 2011 to March 2012. Based on the questionnaire answers, individuals were classified into high risk and low risk groups for OSAS.ResultsBased on the responses and measurement of the Berlin Questionnaire of 1214 subjects studied, 58% (n = 704) of the respondents were female, while 42% (n = 510) were male. Two-hundred-fifty-four respondents met the criteria for the high risk scoring. This gives a prevalence rate of 20.9% (out of which 22.9% of the male respondents were high risk for OSAS, while 19.5% of the females were high risk for OSAS), while the remainder of the participants were classified as low risk. The overall mean age of the high risk for OSAS female respondents was 39.95 years (standard deviation [SD] 11.73 years) and was 41.18 years (SD 14.95 years) for male respondents The highest prevalence was observed between age 51 to 60 in both genders. Seventy percent of the high risk group had a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 and nearly 75% of the low risk group had a BMI < 30 kg/m2, and the mean BMI was 32.06 kg/m2 (SD 5.67 kg/m2) for males and 33.59 kg/m2 (SD 6.44 kg/m2) for females.ConclusionIn the primary health care setting, the prevalence of symptoms of OSAS among adult UAE citizens is very high, and UAE patients are at risk for OSAS and may benefit from proper evaluation for OSAS.

Prevalence, awareness and reporting of symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea among hospitalized adult patients in Nigeria: A multicenter study

“…This male predominance can be due to gender differences in the tobacco smoking, alcohol use, adipose tissue distribution, upper airway anatomy and muscle function, control of ventilation, and the effects of sex hormones and leptin (10). In contrast to our study, three studies in conducted in the Middle East reported that female patients were more prone to sleep apnea (23–24, 27). These findings can be explained by the high prevalence of female obesity in that population (1, 2).…”

“…Prevalence of high risk for OSA using Berlin questionnaire was 18%, and is higher than 10% reported from Pakistan, but it is comparable to 17.4% found in Southwestern Nigeria, 16.8% in Jordan and 20.9% in the United Arab Emirates (13,26,27). The prevalence of high risk for OSA is higher in the western world, as 26–36% was observed in the USA and Europe and 33–39% in Saudi Arabia (21, 23–24).…”

Obesity and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders in Middle East and UAE

“…Recent study in Dubai on prevalence of OSA in UAE ( n = 1200 participants attending PHC clinics) revealed that almost 24% of males and 21% of females in the UAE probably have sleep disorders primarily related to OSAHS [12]. …”

Risk of obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness in hospitalized psychiatric patients

“…There is sparse data regarding the prevalence of OSA in our region (Middle East). In a study of Saudi patients with renal disease, the prevalence of OSA was ~20% compared to 5 to 7% among the general population 8,9. Sleep disturbances is a major diagnostic criterion in many mental health disorders.…”