A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has highlighted a significant association between untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and increased hospitalisation rates for influenza. Researchers found that adults with OSA who do not consistently use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalised due to flu infections compared to those who adhere to CPAP treatment.
The study analysed the medical records of 53 patients diagnosed with both OSA and laboratory-confirmed influenza at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre between 2016 and 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: those who adhered to CPAP therapy (defined as using the device for at least 4 hours per night on at least 70% of nights) and those who were either untreated or nonadherent to CPAP.
Key findings included:
- Hospitalization Rates: Among nonadherent patients, 61% were hospitalized for influenza, while only 24% of adherent patients required hospitalization. This suggests that CPAP therapy may play a crucial role in mitigating the severity of flu infections.
- Odds Ratio: The odds of hospitalization for nonadherent patients were approximately 4.7 times higher than for those who adhered to CPAP therapy.
- Vaccination Rates: Interestingly, a higher proportion of nonadherent patients (75%) had received the flu vaccine compared to the adherent group (56%). However, this difference was not statistically significant, suggesting that poor sleep quality may negatively affect vaccine responsiveness.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of treating sleep apnoea, not just for improving sleep quality but also for enhancing immune function. Researchers noted that better sleep through CPAP therapy could lead to fewer hospitalisations for influenza, ultimately reducing healthcare costs. Study author Glen Greenough, MD, emphasised that the findings suggest a beneficial impact of CPAP on both health outcomes and cost-efficiency in the context of flu-related hospitalisations.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/untreated-sleep-apnea-linked-with-flu-hospitalization
