Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40370656›Full record

ReviewNature and science of sleep2025

Spatiotemporal Trends in the Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Across China: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis Incorporating Geographic and Demographic Stratification (2000-2024).

Yuqi Niu, Shanwen Sun, Yali Wang, Linlin Chen, Yefan Shao, Xiaochun Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nature and science of sleep, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yuqi NiuDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Shanwen SunDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0002-9337-3182
Yali WangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Linlin ChenDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Yefan ShaoDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Xiaochun ZhangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: China bears the highest global burden of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), yet its spatiotemporal and occupational patterns remain unclear. We quantified OSA prevalence across Chinese subpopulations, focusing on geographic disparities, temporal trends, and occupational risks. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched six databases (2000-2024) for population-based OSA studies using polysomnography or validated portable monitoring. Two researchers independently screened studies with third-party adjudication of discrepancies. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute criteria. Random-effects models pooled prevalence estimates; meta-regression identified heterogeneity contributors. OSA diagnosis followed 2012 AASM criteria (AHI ≥5; pediatric studies: OAHI ≥1.5). Results: From 62 studies (N=178,049), pooled OSA prevalence was 11.8% (95% CI:10.1-13.4%), rising from 8.1% (2000-2005) to 26.9% (2021-2024). Prevalence was higher in males vs females (11.1% vs 6.0%, P<0.001), with marked geographic disparities: Northwest China had the highest prevalence (17.8%, 16.3-19.3%) versus Southwest (6.9%, 3.7-10.9%). Drivers exhibited the highest occupational risk (15.3%). Low-quality studies overestimated prevalence (15.0% vs 7.6-10.2% in higher-quality studies), and two-step sampling yielded higher estimates than single-risk-group designs (13.6% vs 7.4%, P<0.001). Meta-regression identified survey period (β=0.036, P=0.025), male sex (β=-0.062, P=0.047), geographic area (β=0.268, P=0.035), occupation (β=0.254, P=0.047), and sampling strategy (β=-0.029, P=0.012) as key predictors of heterogeneity. Conclusion: OSA prevalence in China has accelerated significantly. Standardized screening is urgently needed for aging populations, high-risk occupations (particularly drivers), and underserved regions. Policy priorities should address rural diagnostic inequities and integrate OSA surveillance into public health programs. Methodological harmonization is critical for tracking OSA's evolving burden.

Indexed as

Chinameta-analysisobstructive sleep apnoeaOSAprevalencesubgroup analysis

Identifiers

PMID40370656
PMCPMC12075409

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.