Association between obstructive sleep apnea and quality of life in Korean middle-aged people: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious sleep disorder, can lead to comorbidities and decreased quality of life if untreated. Poor sleep quality from OSA affects concentration, cognitive function, and mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression and anxiety. OSA prevalence increases with age, and middle-aged adults are particularly at risk owing to age-related social and physical changes. Enhancing sleep quality is essential for improving overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between OSA risk and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea. Methods This study utilized data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2019 and 2021 to investigate the relationship between OSA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). After excluding missing values, the analysis included 8,109 adults aged ≥ 40 years. The primary variable of interest was OSA risk, with HRQoL measured using the HINT-8 index. Chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between OSA and HRQoL. Results In this study of 4,831 participants, 59.6% were classified as high-risk for OSA. Low quality of life was significantly associated with high-risk OSA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.17: 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.33). Subgroup analyses showed higher odds of low quality of life in high-risk OSA individuals, particularly among those not engaged in economic activity (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.15–1.67), those who consumed alcohol (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03–1.49), and those with limited physical activity (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03–1.43). Higher OSA risk correlated with poorer quality of life, especially in the lowest quality of life category (aOR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.18–3.43). Conclusions The study found that middle-aged and older adults in South Korea at high risk for OSA had a lower quality of life than those at low risk. High-risk individuals who were economically inactive, consumed alcohol, or engaged in low physical activity also showed a lower quality of life. Future research should focus on accurately measuring OSA and further exploring its impact on quality of life in this population.