0639 SLEEPINESS IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IS ASSOCIATED WITH UNHEALTHY DIET

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep restriction and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are commonly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Sleep restriction is associated with alterations in appetite regulation, particularly with desire for high calorie foods. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), a validated, self-administered, eight-item questionnaire is considered to be the best subjective tool for measuring EDS. The total ESS score can range between 0 and 24, with higher scores signifying more severe EDS. We hypothesized that patients with OSA, due to EDS, will have a higher intake of high calorie foods. Method(s): 104 patients, diagnosed with OSA and presenting to the GW-Center for Sleep Disorders, completed a validated diet survey, Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients (REAP). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was used as a measure of the severity of OSA and ESS was used to measure subjective sleepiness. Statistical tests are based on the Spearman correlation between the ESS and the ordinal scales for the individual dietary components of REAP. Result(s): ESS was significantly higher in subjects that: "often" ate greater than 8oz of meat a day vs. those eating "rarely" (10.4 +/- 4.7 vs 7.8 +/- 4.3; p = 0.023), "often" ate fried food vs. "rarely" (11.5 +/- 4.3 vs 8.2 +/- 4.4; p = 0.027), "often" ate snack foods vs "rarely" (10.5 +/- 4.7 vs 7.6 +/- 3.5; p = 0.012), "often" drank soda or other high calorie beverages vs. "rarely" (10.5 +/- 5.1 vs 7.9 +/- 4.2; p = 0.011). In addition, subjects "often" skipping breakfast had a higher ESS compared to those that skipped breakfast "rarely" (10.9 +/- 4.3 vs 7.8 +/- 4.2; p = 0.005) Conclusion(s): EDS due to OSA is associated with increased intake of high calorie foods. Unhealthy diet can further contribute to the burden of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome present in patients with OSA.