ABSTRACT

Sleep fragmentation occurs proportionally with the severity of disease in Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Deep sleep decreases in patients. Depression incidence increases depending on poor sleep, cognitive impairment, and the character and personality changes. Our aim in this study, we examined the relationship between oxygen desaturation and the Beck depression index (BDI) in patients with OSAS.

Two hundred nineteen patients with polysomnography (PSG) and BDI records were included in this cross-sectional and retrospective study. The age range of patients was in 18-78. In OSAS group, 57 patients were mild [respiratory disturbance index (RDI): 5-15)]; 54 patients were moderate (RDI: 15.1-30); 52 patients were severe (RDI: >30). Fifty-six patients (RDI <5) were control group. Exclusion criterions were major depression, other psychiatric disorders and to receive depression treatment when PSG recordings were made. The results of Beck depression inventory were evaluated according to the criterion that BDI: 0-13 normal; BDI: 14-19 mild depression, BDI: 20-28 moderate depression, BDI: >29 severe depression.

The results of Beck Depression Index were observed as normal or mild depression at whole study population. The oxygen desaturation in patients with OSAS was increasing due to the severity of disease. But, between BDI and the oxygen desaturation there was no correlation in OSAS patients as compared with the control group.

Depression is common due to chronic insomnia and especially fragmentation of sleep in OSAS. However, in our study, we observed the patients with normal or mild depressive symptoms. Between BDI and the oxygen desaturation there was no correlation. Hypoxemia was not provoked depression, however was suggested in the mood changes that due to insufficient sleep and the reduction of sleep depth.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Beck depression index, oxygen sesaturation index