Prevalence of symptoms and risk of sleep disordered breathing in Mumbai (India)

To estimate prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in a questionnaire based survey in Mumbai (India).

The observational design of the study was on a cross-sectional basis conducted at various locations in the city of Mumbai, India. 20 patients of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) were selected randomly as index cases and their residential addresses were noted. From the neighborhood of each of the 20 index cases, a random sample of 20 households was selected providing a sample of 20 x 20 = 400 households. In each the selected households a well-structured questionnaire was canvassed. The information thus collected from the 400 sample households formed the basis of the present study. A total of 1188 sleep questionnaires were administered by a paramedical worker to individuals above 18 years of age and the responses regarding the occurrence of snoring, habitual during or non habitual, cessation of breathing during sleep (witnessed apneas), and daytime sleepiness as per the Epworth sleepiness scale were noted. Results: The information obtained from 1188 subjects – 667 males and 521 females, was tabulated and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. Habitual snoring was observed in 6.4% of population. Out of these habitual snorers, two cases had excessive daytime sleepiness and witnessed apneas. The prevalence SDB, after considering its risk factors i.e. habitual snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and witnessed apneas was found to be 3.42% on the maximum side in the study population. Conclusion: 6.4% of adult Indian population suffers from snoring and prevalence of OSA on the maximum side in the study population is 3.42%.