Potentially Undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Men in the United States
Matthew Lee Smith, Jeong-Hui Park, Abigail Rister, Oluyomi Oloruntoba, Ledric D. Sherman, Harold A. Smith, Ashley L. Merianos, Caroline D. BergeronObjectives
The purposes of this study were to: (1) identify the prevalence of diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among overweight/obese non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men ages ≥40 years with ≥1 chronic condition; and (2) examine factors associated with potentially undiagnosed OSA among these men.
Setting
Using an internet-delivered survey, data were analyzed from 942 overweight/obese Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions.
Methods
Approximately 35% reported an OSA diagnosis; 65% were believed to have potentially undiagnosed OSA because of being overweight/obese, snoring loudly, and/or stopping to breathe while sleeping. A logistic regression was fitted to examine the association with potentially undiagnosed OSA, adjusting for sociodemographics, disease characteristics, health status, social support, and lifestyle behaviors.
Results
Men with more trouble falling asleep (OR=0.94, P<.001), fewer chronic conditions (OR=0.83, P<.001), obesity (OR=0.56, P<.001), and engaged in ≥150 minutes/week of physical activity (OR=0.69, P=.029) were less likely to have potentially undiagnosed OSA. Greater reliance on others to manage problems predicted higher odds of undiagnosed OSA (OR=1.03, P=.040), whereas frequently receiving needed health-related support were less likely to have potentially undiagnosed OSA (OR=0.67, P=.007).
Conclusions
OSA may remain unrecognized among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with less severe disease profiles and mild disordered breathing symptomatology. Findings highlight the need for routine OSA screening and strategies to reduce disease self-care barriers among men with chronic conditions.