Abstract Purpose Sleep disorders are common in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) receiving dialysis. While renal transplantation is thought to improve sleep quality, robust comparative data remain sparse. Aim To assess the prevalence and predictors of self-reported obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in kidney transplant recipients versus a historical dialysis cohort. Method This single-center, cross-sectional study used validated Arabic versions of the STOP-BANG, Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess 159 renal transplant recipients. These data were compared to a historical cohort of 227 dialysis patients, matched on data collection method and clinical setting. Associations were explored using multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and clinical confounders. Results In the combined cohort, 27.5% reported EDS and 30.6% reported OSA risk. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, neck size, smoking, coffee intake, and comorbidities, renal transplantation remained significantly associated with decreased adjusted odds of self-reported EDS (OR 0.014; 95%CI: 0.002-0.114), OSA (OR 0.422; 95%CI: 0.187-0.953), and the co-occurrence of both symptoms (OR 0.092; 95%CI: 0.030-0.284). However, self-reported symptom data may over- or underestimate true prevalence. No polysomnography data were available to validate findings. Conclusion Renal transplant patients self-report fewer symptoms of EDS and OSA risk compared to a historical cohort of dialysis patients. These patient-reported symptomatic improvements highlight the potential benefits of transplantation beyond renal function. This abstract is funded by: King Abdulah international medical research center
Al-Jahdali et al. (Fri,) studied this question.