# Evaluation of sleep apnea syndrome risk in patients attending a smoking cessation outpatient clinic

## TL;DR

This study shows that quitting smoking may reduce the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates a decrease in OSAS risk scores after smoking cessation in a clinical setting.

## Key findings

- High daytime sleepiness decreased from 36 to 30 patients after smoking cessation.
- The number of high-risk patients according to the Berlin Questionnaire dropped from 47 to 28.
- The STOP-BANG high-risk rate for OSAS decreased from 45.3% to 35.9% after quitting smoking.

## Abstract

Smoking is a major public health issue with undeniable adverse effects on human health. It is associated with a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, pulmonary disorders, and neurological diseases. Among these, sleep disturbances and respiratory tract disorders, particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), are of particular concern. This study aims to investigate the relationship between smoking cessation and the OSAS risk scores.

Our study is a prospective, pre-post, single-arm observational study with repeated measures, conducted on patients who successfully quit smoking (n=117). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin Questionnaire, and STOP-BANG Questionnaire were utilized to assess the risk of OSAS. OSAS risk scores were obtained from patients at their initial visit to the smoking cessation clinic and again six months after smoking cessation.

Our study was completed with 117 patients. According to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, high daytime sleepiness was reported in 36 patients, while quitting smoking reduced this number to 30 patients. According to the Berlin Questionnaire, the number of high-risk patients, which was 47, decreased to 28 after smoking cessation. According to the STOP-BANG Questionnaire, the rate of patients considered to be at high risk for OSAS was 45.3%, but it decreased to 35.9% after smoking cessation.

Our study demonstrated that the number of high-risk patients, as determined by OSAS risk scales, decreased after smoking cessation. Our study provides indications that the risk of OSAS may decrease with smoking cessation.