DOI: 10.1111/acps.70119 ISSN: 0001-690X
The Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis
Constanza Sommerhoff, Marta Bort, Michele De Prisco, Sofia Paolucci, Mireia Dalmases, Vincenzo Oliva, Eduard Vieta, Andrea Murru, Giovanna Fico ABSTRACT
Introduction
People with severe mental illness (
SMIs
) are at an increased risk of morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Obstructive sleep apnoea (
OSA
), a prevalent but underdiagnosed condition in
SMIs
, may precipitate more physical health complications. This meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of
OSA
and assess its risk in
SMIs
populations.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis on studies reporting either diagnosis or high risk of
OSA
in bipolar disorder (
BD
), schizophrenia (
SCZ
), and major depressive disorder (
MDD
). Databases were searched through January 2026. Pooled prevalence of
OSA
was calculated through a single‐group meta‐analysis, while odds ratios (
ORs
) comparing
SMIs
and control groups were estimated by a two‐group meta‐analysis.
Results
A total of 47 articles were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled prevalence of
OSA
in
SMIs
was 41.2%, largely influenced by clinical and sleep‐referral settings, with a 38.3% prevalence in
SCZ
, 38.2% in
MDD
and 35.6% in
BD
. Compared to healthy controls (
HCs
) without psychiatric diagnosis, participants with
SMIs
had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with
OSA
(
OR
= 6.96; 95%
CI
= 2.48, 19.51;
k
= 2;
p
‐value < 0.001). High risk of
OSA
was present in 46.7% of
SMI
individuals.
BD
participants showed significantly higher excessive daytime sleepiness compared to
HCs
(
SMD
= 0.63; 95%
CI
= 0.28, 0.98;
k
= 2;
p
‐value < 0.001).
Conclusion
People with
SMIs
have a high prevalence of
OSA
and are at an increased risk of
OSA
compared to the general population. These findings highlight the considerable burden of
OSA
in
SMIs
and support the need for systematic assessment within psychiatric care settings.