Prevalence of sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and utility of global sleep assessment questionnaire: An observational case–control study

INTRODUCTION: Although sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common, no study has comprehensively evaluated sleep disorders in COPD, and there are no screening tools available for COPD patients. Global sleep assessment questionnaire (GSAQ) is one of the best screening tools for the general population. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims and objectives of the study were to find (i) the prevalence of sleep disorders in COPD based on GSAQ score; (ii) if the GSAQ score in COPD is high compared to healthy adult population; (iii) the prevalence of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome (RLS), and depression in COPD patients; and (iv) the sensitivity and specificity of GSAQ. METHODS: This was a prospective case–control study where GSAQ is administered to 100 stable COPD and 50 healthy individuals. The presence of sleep disorder in COPD was further confirmed based on the diagnostic criteria and polysomnography. RESULTS: GSAQ was positive in 68% of the COPD patients compared to 16% of the matched healthy adults (P < 0.001). The sleep disturbance was confirmed in 66 COPD patients. Insomnia, OSA, RLS, depression/anxiety, and overlap of two or more disorder were seen in 39, 13, 30, 22, and 31 patients, respectively. The overall sensitivity/specificity of GSAQ for sleep disturbances in COPD was 90.9%/70.58%, respectively. The sensitivity/specificity of GSAQ for insomnia, OSA, RLS, and anxiety/depression was 87/75%, 77/67%, 90/80%, and 91/65%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sleep disorders in COPD patients are significantly high. GSAQ is a good screening tool for detecting the presence of disturbed sleep in COPD. Overlap of two or more sleep disorders is common in COPD.