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Memory complaints in obstructive sleep apnoea
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Memory complaints in obstructive sleep apnoea

R Bucks, L McNeil, Tamara De Regt, A Mellor, J Phang, M O'Laithe, P Eastwood, S Whitworth, A Holt, A Nienaber, …
Sleep and Biological Rhythms, Vol.8, p.A31
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Sleep Association and Australian Sleep Technologists Association: Sleep Down Under 2010 - Biodiversity of Sleep, 22nd (Christchurch, New Zealand, 21-Oct-2010–23-Oct-2010)
2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2010.00457_4.x
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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2010.00457_4.xView
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Abstract

Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics Neurosciences Psychology
Introduction: Impairments in cognition are frequently observed in untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), including deficits in memory. However, the degree to which individuals with OSA complain of memory deficits has not previously been explored. Nor has the relationship between memory complaints, mood, or symptoms of sleepiness or fatigue. Method: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Participants were recruited from a local sleep clinic, where they completed questionnaires at their diagnostic overnight sleep study. Questionnaires assessed participants' contentment with their memory (Contentment) and self-reported memory failures (Ability), plus depression (DASS-21 & CES-D scales), anxiety and stress (DASS-21 scales), and self-reported fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Results: To date, 517 participants have completed the questionnaires. They were aged 19 to 83 years (M = 52.1), with a mean AHI of 39.0 + 31.6, range 19 to 83. One-third (36%) of participants reported below average contentment with their memory (M = 42.5, cf normative M = 39.3). Forty-two percent reported below average memory ability (M = 48.7, cf normative M = 45.0). Lower contentment and poorer self-reported memory ability were both significantly associated with greater self-reported depression (r = -.49 & -.56, respectively), anxiety (-.25 & -.27), stress (-.50 & -.47), and fatigue (-.27 & -.39) but only ability was related to sleepiness (-.38), after controlling for the effect of age. However, none of these was related to OSA severity measured with AHI (all r < .16). Discussion: These data show that memory complaints are common in OSA and strongly related to psychological well-being and subjective but not objective OSA symptoms. It will be important to explore the relationship between memory complaints and objective memory performance before and after CPAP use so as to determine whether CPAP treatment improves subjective complaints of memory difficulties.

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