RISK PREFERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME IS MODULATED BY THE GAIN OR LOSS CONTEXT

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the propensity for risk taking among patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome by means of a single-outcome gambling task that involved actual monetary losses and gains. We recruited 23 patients and 17 controls matched for sex, age and education. To explore the influence of previous outcomes on risky behaviour, we calculated the proportion of risky choices following sequences of one, two or three consecutive gains or losses. Patients with OSAS made significantly more risky choices than the controls. However, like the controls, they made more risky choices after two and three losses than after one, and fewer risky choices after two and three gains than after one. Their level of impulsivity did not differ from that of the controls. Our results show that OSAS induces a shift towards risk preference, but the ability to fully monitor and control ongoing behaviour remains intact.