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Abstract

<p><b>RATIONALE: </b>Hispanic/Latino populations have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and may be at risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). An understanding of SDB among these populations is needed given evidence that SDB increases cardiovascular risk.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To quantify SDB prevalence in the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population and its association with symptoms, risk factors, diabetes, and hypertension; and to explore variation by sex and Hispanic/Latino background.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Cross-sectional analysis from the baseline examination of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.</p><p><b>MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: </b>The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was derived from standardized sleep tests; diabetes and hypertension were based on measurement and history. The sample of 14,440 individuals had an age-adjusted prevalence of minimal SDB (AHI ≥ 5), moderate SDB (AHI ≥ 15), and severe SDB (AHI ≥ 30) of 25.8, 9.8, and 3.9%, respectively. Only 1.3% of participants reported a sleep apnea diagnosis. Moderate SDB was associated with being male (adjusted odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-3.1), obese (16.8; 11.6-24.4), and older. SDB was associated with an increased adjusted odds of impaired glucose tolerance (1.7; 1.3-2.1), diabetes (2.3; 1.8-2.9), and hypertension. The association with hypertension varied across background groups with the strongest associations among individuals of Puerto Rican and Central American background.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>SDB is prevalent in U.S. Latinos but rarely associated with a clinical diagnosis. Associations with diabetes and hypertension suggest a large burden of disease may be attributed to untreated SDB, supporting the development and evaluation of culturally relevant detection and treatment approaches.</p>

Year of Publication
2014
Journal
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
Volume
189
Issue
3
Number of Pages
335-44
Date Published
2014 Feb 01
ISSN Number
1535-4970
DOI
10.1164/rccm.201309-1735OC
Alternate Journal
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
PMID
24392863
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