According to an article published by Chest, more than half of the 200 US military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in a study at Walter Reed Medical Center were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
According to the results, patients with PTSD and OSA had lower quality of life and more somnolence compared with control groups. In addition, PTSD patients demonstrated significantly lower adherence and response to PAP therapy, according to researchers.
Resolution of sleepiness occurred in 82% of patients with OSA alone, compared with 62.5% of PAP-adherent and 21.4% of nonadherent patients with PTSD and OSA. Similarly, posttreatment Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire ? 17.9 was achieved in 72% of patients with OSA, compared with only 56.3% of patients with PTSD and OSA who were PAP adherent and 26.2% who were non-adherent.
The study highlights “the need for a high index of suspicion and a comprehensive approach to identifying and treating sleep-disordered breathing in these patients,” Dr Christopher J. Lettieri of the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md, wrote, according to ChestPhysician.org. “Given the prevalence of OSAS in patients with PTSD and its adverse impact on symptoms and adherence, early identification may improve outcomes.”
