The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with psoriasis referring to the dermatology clinic of Razi Hospital: a cross-sectional study

The present study aims to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with psoriasis referring to Razi Hospital.

Participants were assessed for demographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), disease duration, place of residence, education level, and were also evaluated using the Stop-Bang and Berlin questionnaires to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The high and low-risk groups for obstructive sleep apnea were compared regarding these parameters.

Based on the Stop-Bang criteria, 43 individuals (41.3%) had moderate risk, and 23 individuals (22.1%) had high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. According to the Berlin questionnaire, 48 individuals (46.2%) were at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. The mean age of individuals with high risk of obstructive sleep apnea according to the STOP-BANG criteria was significantly higher than those with moderate risk (mean=58.3, standard deviation=10.6, compared to mean=48.1, standard deviation=16.1, P = 0.039) and low risk (mean=41.7, standard deviation=17.8, P< 0.001). Additionally, BMI differed significantly among the three groups based on the Stop-BANG criteria, with higher BMI observed in individuals at higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea (P<0.05). BMI was significantly higher in individuals with high risk of obstructive sleep apnea according to the Berlin criteria compared to those with low risk (mean 31.1 versus mean 26, P<0.001).

The findings of this study highlight obstructive sleep apnea as a comorbidity associated with psoriasis.