Prevalence and determinants of high-risk obstructive sleep apnea among hypertensive patients in referral hospitals of the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea results from intermittent airway collapse during sleep. Despite its health risks, the prevalence and associated factors of OSA among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia remain unexplored. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of high-risk OSA among hypertensive patients in referral hospitals within the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected referral hospitals from 21 April to 14 June 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected through structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires, file reviews, and physical examinations. Data were entered in Epi-Data 4.6 and analyzed using Stata 14. Logistic regression was performed, and variables with p < 0.05 were regarded as significantly associated with high-risk OSA. Results: Of the 412 participants (97% response rate), the mean age was 58.95 ± 12.6 years, with 55.1% being female. The prevalence of high-risk OSA was determined to be 43.93% (95% CI: 39.2-48.8). Significant factors included age > 65 years (AOR = 8.00, 95% CI: 4.48-14.14), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.48-8.94), male sex (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.38-7.45), and large neck circumference (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.27-7.74). Conclusion: High-risk OSA is prevalent among hypertensive patients, particularly in older males and those with diabetes or a large neck circumference. Routine OSA screening should be integrated into hypertension care. Future studies should utilize gold-standard tools and explore cause-and-effect relationships.