Being classified as high-risk for obstructive sleep apnea by the STOP-Bang questionnaire was independently associated with a two-fold increased likelihood of cardiovascular morbidity (adjusted OR 2.05).
Cross-Sectional (n=6,630)
Does a high-risk STOP-Bang score predict cardiovascular morbidity in the general population aged ≥40?
A STOP-Bang score indicating high risk for obstructive sleep apnea is independently associated with a twofold increased odds of cardiovascular morbidity in the general adult population.
Effect estimate: OR 2.05 (95% CI 1.29-3.24)
Absolute Event Rate: 11.9% vs 3%
p-value: p=0.002
Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. The STOP-Bang questionnaire was developed to identify individuals at high risk of OSA. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of individuals with suspected OSA using the STOP-Bang risk stratification in the general population of South Korea. Additionally, we determined if the STOP-Bang risk stratification independently predicts cardiovascular morbidity. Methods Data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2020) were used. Participants aged ≥40 with complete data for STOP-Bang questionnaire were included. A STOP-Bang score of ≥5 classified individuals as high-risk whereas scores of 3–4 and less than 3 classified them as intermediate- and low-risk, respectively. The association between the high-risk group and cardiovascular morbidity was analyzed using complex sample logistic regression. Results Among the 6,630 participants included, approximately 6.7% were classified as high-risk based on the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The prevalence of diagnosed OSA in the high-risk group was 4.0%. The high-risk group showed a significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity (11.9%) compared to those in the low- and intermediate-risk groups (3.0 and 8.1%, respectively). After adjusting for variables associated with cardiovascular risk, the high-risk group remained an independent predictor of increased likelihood of cardiovascular morbidity compared to the low-risk group (odds ratio, 2.05; p = 0.002). When stratified by sex, STOP-Bang high-risk was significantly associated with cardiovascular morbidity in men; however, the same trend was not observed in women. Conclusion We found a significant proportion of individuals at high risk of OSA is likely to remain undiagnosed in the general population of South Korea. The high-risk group demonstrated a higher burden of cardiovascular morbidity, and the STOP-Bang high-risk group was an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity.
Kang et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Obstructive sleep apnea risk and cardiovascular morbidity (n=6,630). STOP-Bang high-risk group (score ≥5) vs. STOP-Bang low-risk group (score <3) was evaluated on Cardiovascular morbidity (composite prevalence of stroke, myocardial infarction, and angina) (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.29-3.24, p=0.002). Being classified as high-risk for obstructive sleep apnea by the STOP-Bang questionnaire was independently associated with a two-fold increased likelihood of cardiovascular morbidity (adjusted OR 2.05).