Evaluation of the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea syndromerisk and its effect on sleep quality in rural areas

This study aimed to evaluate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and sleep quality among adult individuals utilizing primary health care services in the rural areas of Eskişehir, Türkiye, and to examine the relationship between these two variables. OSAS risk was assessed using the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Among the 401 participants, a significant proportion was found to be at moderate to high risk for OSAS, while the majority reported good sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being over 50 years of age, male gender, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), having hypertension, and a family history of OSAS were independently associated with a higher OSAS risk. In contrast, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with female gender and the presence of chronic diseases. No direct and statistically significant relationship was found between OSAS risk and sleep quality, which may be due to the differing structural focuses of the assessment tools used. In conclusion, OSAS risk is primarily associated with strong biological and demographic factors, while sleep quality is more influenced by social and clinical burdens. These findings support the utility of simple screening tools in primary care to identify high-risk individuals and guide appropriate referrals and interventions.