Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Cardiac Disease Among Aboriginal Patients in the Northern Territory of Australia

Subash S. Heraganahally, Brinthan Rajaratnam, Sampathawaduge A.A.S. Silva, Nicola Robinson, Victor M. Oguoma, Pyi Naing, Nadarajah Kangaharan, Marcus Ilton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background:

There is paucity of information on obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and cardiac diseases among Aboriginal Australian patients. This study evaluates the association of various cardiac disease profiles among Aboriginal patients undergoing a diagnostic polysomnography (PSG).\

Method: 

In this 5-year retrospective study demographics, clinical characteristics, medical and cardiac -conditions were analysed. 

Results: 

There were total of 340 eligible patients included in the study. The median age was 47 (38–57) years, 51% were males and obesity was noted in 78%. In the overall study participants, cardiac diseases were present in 46%: coronary artery disease (CAD) in 27%, pulmonary hypertension (PH) 19% and atrial fibrillation (AF) 14%. Diabetes and hypertension were noted in 42 and 41% of patients. Overall, 73/340 (21.5%) had two, 69/340 (20.3%) three, 55/340 (16.2%) four, 40/340 (11.8%) five and 10/340 (2.9%) had six comorbidities. In the overall study participants, 297/340 (87%) had OSA (AHI>5/hour). Co- occurrence of OSA and cardiac diseases was found in 140/297 (47%), CAD being the commonest (27%). Patients with OSA had higher number of comorbidities compared to patients without sleep apnoea. Hospital admissions frequency showed a median 2 (IQR: 0-4) times readmission rates since the diagnosis of OSA overall compliance with CPAP therapy was observed in 63 (43%). 

Conclusion: 

Our study demonstrated that a significant proportion of Aboriginal patients with OSA have co-existing cardiac diseases, with CAD being the commonest. Patients with OSA had a higher number of comorbidities compared to patients without sleep apnoea. Furthermore, hospital admission frequency increased among OSA patients with multiple comorbidities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1184-1192
Number of pages9
JournalHeart Lung and Circulation
Volume30
Issue number8
Early online date23 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We sincerely thank the administrative staff, in particular Mr Rama Nair, echocardiograph technical staff, at the NT cardiac in facilitating access to echocardiographs and other relevant cardiac investigations for this study. We also are very grateful to all the sleep technologists and administrative staff at Darwin Respiratory and Sleep Health in contributing towards this study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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