Background:

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects approximately 10%-20% of adults and is associated with obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

Aim:

To assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with OSAS in Chilean adults.

Material and Methods:

A standardized sleep questionnaire and respiratory polygraphy at home were conducted on adults aged 18 years or more, residing in the Metropolitan Region and enrolled in the 2016/17 National Health Survey.

Results:

Two-hundred and five people between 18 and 84 years old (46% men, mean age 50 years) underwent overnight respiratory polygraphy at home. The estimated obstructive sleep apnea prevalence was 49% (62% men, 31% women) considering an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5 respiratory events/hour, and 16% (21% men, 13% women) considering an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 respiratory events/hour. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea continuously increased along with age for men and women, with a later onset for women. Age, gender, body mass index, cervical and waist circumference, snoring, reporting of apnea by proxies, self-reported cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, were significantly associated with OSAS. No association was found with insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

Conclusions:

The prevalence and risk factors associated to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were high among these adults.