Sleep quality and well-being in obesity-hypoventilation syndrome versus obstructive sleep apnea with obesity: A comparative study

Background

Only a few studies in the published literature have assessed the well-being, and the sleep quality (SQ) in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). The aim of this study was to evaluate well-being and SQ in patients with OHS and to compare these outcomes with those of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity.

Methods

Consecutive subjects being referred for evaluation of sleep disordered breathing were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A: OSA patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m² and 2) Group B: OHS patients. Well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), while sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results

In total 1010 participants (OHS, n = 203) were included in the study. No difference was observed between groups in mean scores of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), WHO-5, and PSQI questionnaires. In patients with OHS, WHO-5 score was negatively correlated with neck circumference (r = −0.703, p = 0.016) and waist circumference (r = −0.728, p = 0.011). Moreover, PSQI scores in this group were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.410, p = 0.038). A lower WHO-5 score was observed in OHS patients with diabetes mellitus compared to non-diabetic patients with OHS (p = 0.049).

Conclusions

Patients with OSA and OHS reported similarly poor well-being and SQ. In patients with OHS, both high neck - and waist circumference were associated with poor well-being, while higher BMI was associated with worse sleep quality. Additionally, the well-being of OHS patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus was worse compared to OHS patients without diabetes mellitus.