Could an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea be one of the determinants associated with disability in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Purpose To investigate a possible association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and disability in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted with 373 individuals (313 with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and 60 healthy). Disability was assessed by the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), and the risk of OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG. Anxiety and depression symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and cognition were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results Greater disability was found in individuals with intermediate or high risk of OSA, considering healthy individuals ( p =0.03), or individuals diagnosed with arrhythmia ( p