Influence of the partner's obstructive sleep apnea on metabolic syndrome in couples

Objectives

This study investigates the relationship between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, as assessed by the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and metabolic syndrome among couples. It also examines how snoring and observed apnea are associated with metabolic syndrome in couples.

Study design

Cross-sectional study using data from 2436 couples in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021). A high risk of obstructive sleep apnea was defined as a STOP-Bang score of 3 or more (excluding the hypertension item).

Main outcome measures

Metabolic syndrome in couples.

Results

47.6 % of husbands and 5.7 % of wives had a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 45.5 % among husbands and 24.7 % among wives. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and health behaviors, wives whose husbands were at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea or who reported snoring or observed apnea had 1.4–1.5 times higher odds of metabolic syndrome. Conversely, husbands' metabolic syndrome was not significantly associated with their wives' risk of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep behaviors. The adjusted odds of metabolic syndrome in both partners were 2.8–4.4 times higher when only husbands had a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, and 2.3–2.9 times higher when only wives had these sleep issues, compared with couples without such problems.

Conclusions

This study reveals a gender disparity in the impact of a spouse's risk of obstructive sleep apnea on metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the need for a couple-focused approach in managing these health issues.