Abstract
Objective Sleep restfulness is closely associated with mortality. Thus, it is an important
sleep-related symptom in the general population. However, it is rarely evaluated in
patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. The present study examined the
importance of sleep restfulness in patients with OSA receiving continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Materials and Methods We administered sleep-related questionnaires, which included items such as subjective
sleep duration and sleep restfulness, to 775 patients with OSA receiving CPAP therapy.
Sleep restfulness was rated using a 5-point Likert-type scale, with the score of 5
indicating restfulness. Good adherence to CPAP therapy was defined as the use of CPAP
therapy for at least 4 h per night in 70% of nights.
Results We excluded 105 patients with lacking data. Thus, 670 patients were finally examined.
In total, 29 (4.3%), 124 (18.5%), 139 (20.8%), 235 (35.1%), and 143 (14.3%) patients
answered restless (1), somewhat restless (2), neither (3), somewhat restful (4), and
restful (5) respectively. A total of 467 (69.7%) patients had good adherence to CPAP
therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sleep restfulness was
independently and positively associated with subjective sleep duration (≥ 7 hours)
and good adherence to CPAP therapy.
Conclusion Sleep restfulness was associated with subjective sleep duration and good adherence
to CPAP therapy in patients with OSA. Favorable outcomes are significantly correlated
with good adherence to CPAP therapy. Thus, sleep restfulness can be an indicator of
a subtype that has favorable outcomes in patients after CPAP therapy.
Keywords
continuous positive airway pressure - obstructive sleep apnea - surveys and questionnaires
