O022 Characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea with a focus on the First Nations population

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common with an estimated prevalence of 9-38%. First Nations Australians experience a burden of disease 2.3 times that of the general population. Notably, many of the conditions prevalent in this population are associated with OSA. However, there is a paucity of data relating to the characteristics of First Nations Australians with OSA. METHODS: This audit aims to analyse the characteristics, co-morbidities, and sleep study data of the cohort of patients referred to our facility for a sleep study between 2010-2023, with a subgroup analysis of the First Nations population. RESULTS: To date we have analysed data for 587 patients who attended our facility from 2022-2023 of which 28 (4.7%) identify as First Nations. We analysed 325 diagnostic sleep studies. 315/325 patients were non-First Nations. Of these 61 had a normal study, 88 had mild OSA, 73 had moderate OSA and 93 had severe OSA (as defined by apnoea-hypopnea index of 5-15, 15-30 and >30 respectively). The average BMI was 34.12kg/m2. 10/325 patients identified as First Nations. Of these 3 had a normal sleep study, 3 had mild OSA, 4 had moderate OSA and 2 had severe OSA. The average BMI was 33.98kg/m2. DISCUSSION: Data collection and analysis are ongoing. Our small sample size to date likely underestimates the proportion of clients who identify as First Nations. Through this study we hope to gain a deeper understanding of, and contribute to, existing knowledge of specific risk factors present in this group.