Brief Summary

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common but frequently underdiagnosed sleep-related breathing disorder that is associated with significant cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive complications. Patients with endocrine disorders, particularly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), hypothyroidism, and obesity, are at an increased risk of developing OSA and poor sleep quality. Early identification of individuals at risk may facilitate timely intervention and improve health outcomes.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea and quality of sleep among patients with endocrine disorders attending a selected tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka. The study included 285 participants aged 35–70 years diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Participants who were previously diagnosed with OSA or receiving treatment for OSA were excluded.

Data were collected using a demographic proforma, clinical proforma, the STOP-Bang Questionnaire to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. The study also examined the relationship between OSA risk and sleep quality and their association with selected demographic and clinical variables.

The findings demonstrated that patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity had a higher risk of OSA and poorer sleep quality compared with patients with hypothyroidism. A significant positive correlation was observed between OSA risk and poor sleep quality. Age, comorbidities, and selected demographic factors were significantly associated with OSA risk and sleep quality. The study highlights the importance of routine screening for OSA and sleep disturbances among patients with endocrine disorders to enable early diagnosis, timely referral, and appropriate management, thereby improving overall health outcomes and quality of life.