According to Medical Xpress, recent research shows that people with schizophrenia are 3.4 times more likely to have severe obstructive sleep apnea.
The study, which incorporated home sleep studies on 32 patients with schizophrenia, is the first of its kind worldwide to confirm a link between schizophrenia and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and University of Adelaide Professor Cherrie Galletly said most patients with schizophrenia report difficulties with their sleep.
“People with schizophrenia have much higher rates of physical illness like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, and this causes a 17-20 year reduction in their life expectancy,” Professor Galletly said.
“Despite these illnesses being closely linked with obstructive sleep apnoea, the rates of this disorder and the benefits of treating it in this population are unknown.
“People with obstructive sleep apnoea also have high rates of heart disease, depression and poor memory, so obstructive sleep apnoea may be causing these problems in many people with schizophrenia, but no one is aware of this.”
Photo Credit: Kim J, Matthews NL, Park S./PLoS One
