Epidemiología mundial, latinoamericana y colombiana y mortalidad del síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS)

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent disorder associated with severe cardiovascular and neuropsychological sequelae, which has a high socioeconomic cost to the population. In the past, an average prevalence of 3% to 7% in men and 2% to 5% in women (40-60 years for both sexes) was estimated. However, in the last two decades, it increased to 10% in men aged 30 to 49 years, 17% in men aged 50 to 70, and 3% in women aged 30 to 49 and 9% in women aged 50 to 70. It is estimated that 20% of middle-aged adults have at least mild OSAHS, while 80% of cases remain undiagnosed, hence the importance of suspecting this disease. In Colombia, an omnibus survey was conducted showing that the global prevalence of high-risk sleep apnea, according to the Berlin questionnaire, was 19% in three cities —Bogotá D.C., Bucaramanga and Santa Marta— (CI95%: 17.3, 20.8%). The overall prevalence of high risk of OSAHS was 26.9% (95% CI: 24.9%, 29%) according to the STOP-Bang scale.