Prevalence of predictive factors for obstructive sleep apnea in university students

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors for obstructive sleep apnea in university students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study, conducted from August 2018 to February 2019. 144 students of both genders, informed of purposes and procedures, signed consent forms to participate. Procedures included measuring body mass index, abdominal, and neck circumference; inspecting tongue and oropharynx with Mallampati modified classification; answering Berlin questionnaire. RESULTS: 63.9% had normal body mass index; 19.4% were overweight. 59.7% had normal abdominal circumference; 89.6%, normal neck circumference. 65.3% presented Mallampati class I V. 74.3% indicated no obstructive sleep apnea; 25.7% were at high risk. High risk for obstructive sleep apnea associated with body mass index (p<0.001), abdominal (p=0.006), and neck circumference (p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Anthropometries were mostly normal, despite the high prevalence of changed Mallampati classification. Positively correlated predictive factors, also associated with high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, reinforce the need for such preventive measures in youth.