Risk for sleep apnea syndrome in Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey utilizing the Berlin questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of individuals at high risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea in the Pakistani population using a validated questionnaire.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional survey using a pre-validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital. All healthy individuals above 18 years of age attending a seminar were included as participants after consent.


RESULTS
The percentage of people in the high-risk group was calculated to be 12.4% out of a population of 137. Presence of snoring, hypertension, and body mass index >27.5 kg/m(2) was found to be more prevalent in high-risk individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of the population is at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Taj
Fawad
F
Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. fawadtaj@gmail.com
Aly
Zarmeneh
Z
Arif
Osman
O
Khealani
Bhojo
B
Ahmed
Mansoor
M
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017286:Polysomnography; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult