Correlates of daytime sleepiness in patients with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with asthma often complain of daytime sleepiness, which is usually attributed to a direct effect of asthma on nocturnal sleep quality. We investigated this and other potential explanations for daytime sleepiness among asthmatics.


METHODS
One hundred fifteen adult asthmatics were assessed for perceived daytime sleepiness (one question item), subjective sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, ESS), obstructive sleep apnea risk (Sleep Apnea scale score within Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, SA-SDQ), asthma severity step, relevant comorbid conditions, and current asthma medications.


RESULTS
Among all subjects, 55% perceived excessive daytime sleepiness and 47% had ESS>10. Most subjects reported snoring (n=99, or 86%) and many snored habitually (n=44, 38%). The ESS correlated with SA-SDQ (P<0.0001), male gender (P=0.01), and asthma severity step (P=0.04). In a multiple regression model, the ESS was independently associated with SA-SDQ (P=0.0003) and male gender (P=0.02), but not with asthma severity step (P=0.51). There were no correlations between ESS and age, body mass index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in one second as percent of predicted value (FEV(1)%), comorbidities, or medication used to treat asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Sleepiness is common in asthmatics and may reflect occult obstructive sleep apnea more often than effects of asthma itself, other comorbid conditions, or asthma medications.
Teodorescu
Mihaela
M
Sleep Disorders Center and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0117, USA. mihaelat@med.umich.edu
Consens
Flavia B
FB
Bria
William F
WF
Coffey
Michael J
MJ
McMorris
Marc S
MS
Weatherwax
Kevin J
KJ
Durance
Ann
A
Palmisano
John
J
Senger
Carolyn M
CM
Chervin
Ronald D
RD
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications