Anxiety and depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea before and after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure

Aim To evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or weight reduction treatments on anxiety and depression. Background OSA is a life-threatening condition. Poor sleep quality, frequent arousals during sleep, and intermittent hypoxia that accompany patients with OSA could contribute to psychological disturbances. Patients and methods A total of 40 patients with OSA (19 males and 21 females) who were admitted to the Chest Department of Menoufia University Hospitals were included and divided into two groups based on different treatment: 20 patients were treated with CPAP and 20 patients were treated with weight reduction. Results There were no significant differences between both groups regarding age, sex, and BMI. The patients in both groups had high scores in Hamilton anxiety rating scale, Hamilton depression scale, and quality-of-life scale. CPAP and weight reduction treatment for 3 months resulted in significant improvements of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Hamilton anxiety rating scale decreased from 11.7 ± 6.5 to 3.3 ± 1.8 in group 1 and from 9.6 ± 4.4 to 3 ± 2.1 in group 2, whereas the Hamilton depression scale score decreased from 16.5 ± 5.8 to 4.8 ± 2.1 in group 1 and from 17.5 ± 6.4 to 5.7 ± 2.6 in group 2 (both P<0.001). There were significant improvements in the quality of life in the two groups after 3 months of treatment. Conclusion Anxiety and depression are associated with OSA which improved after CPAP and weight reduction treatment.