(A1216) Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Its Surgical Management, and Their Effects on Severity of Depression

Introduction: While several studies have elucidated improvement in subjective depression by treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) via CPAP, the current study aims to assess the effect surgical sleep procedures have on not only sleepiness but also depressive symptoms.

Methods: In this clinical study, patients scheduled for an array of OSA corrective procedures (categorized as maxillomandibular advancement, nasal airway, soft palate, and tongue-based surgeries), completed preoperative polysomnography studies (PSG), Becks Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Epworth’s Sleepiness Scale (ESS) survey. Post-operation, patients completed BDI-II (1- and 3-months) and a PSG. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess relationships between preoperative and postoperative BDI-II scores, as well as correlations between preoperative BDI-II and ESS. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare preoperative and postoperative BDI-II scores, AHI, and ODI scores. Independent sample t-tests were performed analyzing differential effects on sexes and surgical procedures.

Results: 34 participants diagnosed with OSA completed preoperative PSG, BDI-II, and ESS assessments; and post-operative 1- and 3- month BDI-II and a PSG. Mean preoperative AHI was 30.1 and ODI was 27.0 and significantly reduced post-operatively to 11.9 and 12.6 respectively (+/- 7.3, +/- 4.4, p< 0.01). Preoperative BDI-II scores were positively correlated with sleepiness scores (ESS) (r=0.572, p< 0.01). Mean preoperative BDI-II scores were 10.6 +/- 1.3 and significantly reduced by 3.5 at 1 month and 6.6 at 3 months (+/- 0.9, +/- 1.3, p< 0.01).

Conclusions: Our finding suggests that the treatment of OSA through surgical procedures significantly reduces patients' AHI, ODI and depression levels by 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, severity of OSA sleepiness symptoms is positively correlated with higher preoperative depression, as measured by BDI-II scores. Therefore, this study suggests surgical treatment of OSA can lead to meaningful improvements not only in sleep but also patients' mental health.