Sleep-Breath–Related Characteristics in Males With Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often exhibit sleep impairments that are closely associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, objective evaluations of sleep quality in inpatients with CRS are lacking. This study explored the sleep-breath–related characteristics of CRS patients without nasal polyps (CRSsNP).

Methods: In this cross-sectional single-center study, we recruited 147 adult male inpatients diagnosed with CRSsNP between March 2019 and April 2020. OSA was diagnosed using standard PSG. The patients were classified into two groups based on the apnea–hypopnea index: CRSsNP with OSA and CRSsNP without OSA groups. Demographic features and sleep parameters were evaluated and compared between the groups.

Results: Inpatients with CRSsNP were at high risk of OSA (61.2%). Interestingly, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake duration showed no differences between the CRSsNP with OSA and CRSsNP without OSA patients. The CRSsNP with OSA group exhibited a higher prevalence of obesity, slept for less time, was more easily aroused, and exhibited higher SE and larger CT90 scores during sleep (p < 0.05) compared to the CRSsNP without OSA group. Linear regression analysis revealed that the average SpO₂ value (β = 1.182; p = 0.036) and ODI (β = 0.818; p < 0.001) remained significantly associated with OSA in CRS patients even after adjusting for age and body mass index.

Conclusions: Male inpatients with CRSsNP exhibited a high prevalence of OSA. CRSsNP patients evidenced severe hypoxia and exhibited more awakenings during sleep.