Clinical and psychological predictors of obstructive sleep apnoea in an Australian adult population with severe and complex obesity

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder in the general population, with markedly higher rates among individuals with obesity. This elevated prevalence underscores the importance of examining the various risk factors which contribute to increased rates. The current study investigated predictors of receiving a diagnosis of OSA among treatment-seeking individuals with a range of binge-eating frequencies attending a public hospital weight intervention clinic in Western Sydney, Australia. Methods: Participants (N = 110) were comprised of adults (> 18 years old) seeking weight management treatment at a tertiary level service at Blacktown Hospital, with an average BMI of 51.1 (SD = 10.9) and average age of 46.6 years old (SD = 12.5). Eligible participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires that gathered information on demographics, including age, sex, and education level, as well as body mass index (BMI) and binge-eating frequency. Results: Our results revealed that older age and higher BMI were significantly associated with increased odds of receiving an OSA diagnosis, while binge-eating frequency, sex, and education level did not significantly predict OSA diagnosis in this sample. Importantly, BMI significantly predicted OSA diagnosis only when binge-eating frequency was excluded from the model, suggesting a potential shared variance. Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing literature by reinforcing the association between older age, higher BMI, and increased odds of receiving an OSA diagnosis in a medically complex obesity sample. It also emphasises the importance of routinely screening for OSA risk factors, particularly in those presenting with high BMI and older age, which may contribute to early detection, early intervention, and improved outcomes.