Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening in Psoriasis Using the STOP-Bang Questionnaire: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION- Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by sharply circumscribed erythematous plaques on the trunk and limbs. Reports are suggesting low sleep quality and increased risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in psoriasis patients. METHODS- The present study aimed to investigate the array of OSAS in psoriasis based on the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The study was cross-sectional. The sample was sequential and for convenience. The association between categorical variables was verified with Pearson's chi-square and Fischer's exact tests, and Pearson and Spearman's correlations were used to evaluate the relationships between the continuous variables. P<0.05 values were considered significant. RESULTS- A total of 104 patients were selected, 53 (51%) males, with a mean age of 51.7±14.8 years. Body mass index was 29.3±5 kg/m2. Hypertension was present in 38 (36.5%) and diabetes in 19 (18.3%) patients. Psoriasis was controlled in 87 (83.7%) patients, determined by the PASI Score below 10 points. Regarding the risk for sleep apnea, 36 (34.6%) were at high risk, 28 (26.9%) were at intermediate risk, and 40 (38.5%) were at low risk. There was no significant correlation between the degree of severity of psoriasis and the risk of apnea by the STOP-Bang score (p=0.6). CONCLUSIONS- The present study suggests an increased prevalence in high and intermediate-risk scores for OSA in the population with psoriasis. No association was observed between the degree of severity of psoriasis and apnea risk. Prospective controlled studies using the diagnosis of OSAS by polysomnography are necessary.