Middle-aged and older Canadians at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea may have worse mental health outcomes

1. Middle-aged and older Canadian adults at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had worse mental health outcomes than those who were not at high risk of OSA.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)

Mental health conditions are significant contributors to the worldwide disease burden, with high costs in terms of global productivity. OSA is a highly prevalent health condition which has previously been linked to adverse health outcomes such as cardiometabolic disorders and decreased productivity. This prospective cohort study therefore sought to investigate the association between OSA and the incidence of concurrent and future mental health conditions in middle-aged and older adults. Individuals between the ages of 45 and 85 from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) national prospective cohort study were included. The primary outcome was a pre-determined composite of poor mental health. 30,097 individuals (median age[IQR], 62[54-71] years) were included in a baseline cohort and 27,765 patients were included in a follow-up cohort (median age[IQR], 65[57-73] years). After adjustment for confounding variables, being at high risk for OSA was significantly associated with increased odds of a composite poor mental health outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.28-1.50) and follow-up (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.30-1.50). Among individuals who did not meet criteria for poor mental health at baseline, high risk of OSA was associated with an increased chance of a composite poor mental health outcome at follow-up of 20% (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40). Overall, this study found that among middle-aged and older Canadian adults, being at high risk of OSA was associated with an increased chance of worse mental health outcomes. 

Click here to read this study in JAMA Network Open

Image: PD

©2026 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.