Study Links Sleep Apnea and Depression in Men

In recent years, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked with a parade of serious health issues, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Now, a new study has strengthened the link between sleep apnea and depression in adult men. According to the study, which was conducted at the University of Adelaide in Australia, men with previously undiagnosed OSA and men with excessive daytime drowsiness were both significantly more likely to be depressed, while men with both health issues were four to five times more likely to be depressed. The study examined 1875 men twice during a five-year time span, collecting information about OSA, depression, drowsiness, and more. The study corrected for factors including weight, age, and race. “Excessive daytime sleepiness and severe OSA were both associated with the prevalence and recent onset of depression in our community-based sample of men, and the presence of both was associated with an even greater risk,” said lead author Dr. Carol Lang.

Depression and Sleep Apnea Studies

This is not the first time that sleep apnea and depression have been linked.

• In 2014, a study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences found that men and women with OSA were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression. The more severe their sleep apnea, the more likely they were to have depression and anxiety.
• A 2012 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the more often people snored or gasped for air during sleep, the more likely they were to show signs of depression.
• A 2003 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea were five time more likely to have major depressive disorder.

The Relationship Between Depression & OSA

Although multiple studies have found that people suffering from sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from depression, it is hard to understand why this correlation exists. We do not yet know enough about the connection between the two illnesses to say for sure that OSA causes depression or makes depression worse. However, doctors believe that it is highly likely that lack of restful sleep and excessive daytime drowsiness – both results of sleep apnea – can cause depression or make depression worse. Conversely, depression could also make sleep apnea worse, as a lack of exercise and obesity can make it more difficult to breathe at night.

Surgical Sleep Solutions for Sleep Apnea

Many of our former patients report that eliminating their sleep apnea also helped lift their issues with depression and anxiety. To learn about our bimaxillary advancement treatment model, or to ask our experienced surgeon a question about your sleep apnea treatment options, please call us today at (800) 560-7378.

Not sure if you or your loved one suffers from sleep apnea? Take a sleep apnea self-evaluation to begin learning more.