The prevalance of eating disorders and related factorsin patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Aim: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are reported to have higher rates of eating disorders compared to the general population. In addition, it has been shown that nocturnal eating behavior may be triggered by sleep disorders with sleep interruptions such as OSA. In this study, we aimed to compare the prevalence of eating disorders, impaired eating behavior and the risk of nocturnal eating syndrome between patients with OSA and healthy controls and then to investigate factors such as insomnia severity, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, chronotype differences and depression that may be associated with eating disorders in these patients and to examine the relationship between these factors. Materials and Methods: This study included a patient group consisting of 62 individuals who applied to Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Sleep Disorders Unit and were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by a neurologist based on clinical and polysomnographic data and a control group consisting of 60 healthy individuals who volunteered to participate in the study. Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), MorningnessEveningness Scale and Beck Depression Scale were administered to all participants under the guidance of a clinician. Comparisons were made between the groups using appropriate statistical analyses. Results: In our study, the EAT-26 and NEQ median scores were significantly higher in patients with OSA compared to the control group. No individual with an impaired eating attitude was found in either group according to the EAT-26 cut-off score. On the other hand, when the NEQ classification was used to assess the risk of the nocturnal eating syndrome, 3.2% of the patient group was found to be at high risk, 4.8% was found to be at moderate risk, and 92% was found to be at no risk, while all of the control group was found to be at no risk. A significant relationship was found between the severity of insomnia and the increase in depression symptoms and night eating behavior in the patient group. In patients diagnosed with OSA, those with an intermediate chronotype were found to have a higher risk of night-eating syndrome than those with a morning chronotype. Conclusion: Patients with OSA have an increased risk of nocturnal eating behavior. By determining the risk of impaired eating behavior according to chronotype preferences and questioning and treating insomnia and depression, nocturnal eating behavior can be reduced and obesity and related medical diseases that may be caused by nocturnal eating behavior can be prevented. Keywords: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Eating Disorders, Night Eating, Chronotype