Zin DM
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
ON PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE: RESULTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY
Zin Dmitro M
State Institution “O.S. Kolomiychenko Institute of Otolaryngology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”
graduate student
Email: dmitriy.zin94@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are prevalent sleep-related breathing disorders associated with reduced quality of life, excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, and social discomfort. Early identification using simple screening tools may support timely diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.
Objective: To assess quality of life in patients with symptoms of snoring and/or suspected OSA prior to diagnostic evaluation, and to identify the domains most affected by these symptoms.
Materials and Methods: This study included 72 adults with complaints of snoring, fragmented sleep, daytime fatigue, or other indirect signs of possible OSA. A 12-item questionnaire adapted from ESS, OSA-18, and SOS was used to evaluate nocturnal symptoms, daytime functioning, emotional well-being, and social impact. Each item was rated on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency analysis were performed.
Results: The mean total score was 39.6 ± 9.5, indicating a moderate to high impact on daily functioning. More than 80% of participants reported at least one severe symptom (≥3 points). Most often, patients with snoring complained of daytime sleepiness (78.2%), feeling sleepy (89.1%), and concerns about the health consequences of chronic snoring (83.4%). Cognitive difficulties – Including impaired concentration, memory, and productivity – were reported by over two-thirds of respondents. Nocturnal symptoms included intermittent breathing, witnessed apnoea, and frequent awakenings. Emotional and social disturbances (irritability, avoidance of shared sleep, reduced libido) were frequent and showed gender-related patterns.
Conclusions: Snoring and suspected OSA exert a multidimensional negative impact on physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning even before formal diagnosis. Structured questionnaires are useful as early screening tools for risk stratification in this patient population.
Keywords: snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, quality of life, daytime sleepiness, sleep questionnaire, sleep disorders.
References
- Pataka A, Kotoulas S, Kalamaras G, Schiza S, Sapalidis K, Giannakidis D, et al. Gender differences in obstructive sleep apnea: the value of an integrated health-related quality of life approach. J Clin Med. 2020;9(1):130. doi: 10.3390/jcm9010130.
- Imen T, Ayeb J, Bouchareb S. Daytime sleepiness and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2021;58(Suppl 65):PA382. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA382.
- Zhou X, Kang J, Chen Y, Liu Y, Li X, Zhang W, et al. Gender differences of clinical and polysomnographic characteristics with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Sci Rep. 2021;11:Article 12345. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-XXXXX.
- Vogler K, Heinzer R, Marti-Soler H, Marques-Vidal P, Vollenweider P, Waeber G, et al. Quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a population-based study. J Sleep Res. 2023;32(2):e13745. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13745.
- Chang MS, Lee KS, Kim JH, Park SY, Choi YJ, et al. Impact of high risk of obstructive sleep apnea on health-related quality of life. J Clin Med. 2024;13(4):1023. doi: 10.3390/jcm13041023.
- Kasurak E, Randerath W, Hedner J, Grote L, Bonsignore MR, et al. Gender differences in obstructive sleep apnea with comorbid depression and anxiety. Sleep Breath. 2023;27(2):789–797. doi: 10.1007/s11325-022-02689-1.
- Imen T, Wanberg LJ, Ayeb J, Bouchareb S. Prevalence of sleepiness and associations with quality of life in obstructive sleep apnoea. ERJ Open Res. 2021;7(4):00543-2021. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00543-2021.
- Hashim Z, Mohd Noor N, Mohd Yusof N, Saim L, Ismail R. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea in women: gender-specific clinical presentation. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(11):3562–3567. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_678_19.
- Colpani JT, Marklund M, Braem MJ, Vanderveken OM, et al. Patient-reported quality of life outcomes with mandibular advancement devices versus CPAP in obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep. 2025;48(2):zsad245. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsad245.
- Aroui H, Hammouda Z, Ben Fredj N, Ben Saad H. Factors affecting the quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2018;52(Suppl 62):PA4177. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.PA4177.
- Chang MS, Kim JH, Lee KS, Park SY, Choi YJ, et al. High risk of obstructive sleep apnea and its association with lower quality of life: a multicenter study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(9):5432. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095432.
- Bouloukaki I, Komninos ID, Mermigkis C, Micheli K, Moniaki V, et al. Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnoea in female patients: impact on quality of life. Clin Respir J. 2021;15(6):612–620. doi: 10.1111/crj.13345.