Probability of obstructive sleep apnea in male patients with systolic heart failure and some related factors

Background and Purpose: Sleep breathing disorders have a negative impact on the illness outcome and quality of life in patients with heart failure. This study was conducted to investigate the probability of obstructive sleep apnea in men with heart failure and some related factors. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 male patients with systolic heart failure selected through convenience sampling. Demographic data, anthropometric indices, and information about the disease, treatment, and STOP-BANG questionnaires were collected through interviewing subjects. Data was analyzed with SPSS 18 using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation and linear regression. Results: 87% of heart failure patients were at a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The probability of obstructive sleep apnea had significant relationship with age and neck circumference (p<0.001). A significant difference was found in the mean score of obstructive sleep apnea compared with renal disease (p=0.020), use of angiotensin receptor blockers (p=0. 013) and diuretics (p=0. 019). Conclusion: Due to their longer and more direct contact with patients, nurses have more opportunity for evaluating obstructive sleep apnea in patients. Obstructive screening questionnaires of sleep breathing disorders is a simple and economical way for identifying the patients with a high risk of this problem and referring them for more accurate diagnosis and treatment, which can play an important role in reducing the negative outcomes of the disease and improving patients' quality of life.