Association between obstructive sleep Apnea-Related factors and HINT-8 utility scores in adults: a secondary analysis of the 2023 Korea National health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES).

purposeThis study aimed to examine the association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using nationally representative data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

methodsWe analyzed data from the 2023 KNHANES, including 3968 adults aged 40 years and older. OSA risk was assessed using the STOP-BANG questionnaire, and HRQoL was measured with the HINT-8, a validated instrument developed in Korea. Complex sample linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between OSA risk categories and the HINT-8 utility index, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Sensitivity analyses using multiple imputation and models with continuous variables were also conducted to assess robustness.

resultsParticipants at moderate risk of OSA had significantly lower HINT-8 utility scores compared to those at low risk (β = -0.009; 95% CI = -0.017 to -0.001). The high-risk group showed a non-significant trend toward lower HRQoL. In a sensitivity analysis additionally adjusted for age and sex, the negative association remained consistent in both magnitude and direction. Overall, the results were robust across multiple analytical approaches.

conclusionOnly the moderate-risk group showed a statistically significant reduction in HRQoL, whereas the high-risk group demonstrated a non-significant trend. The STOP-BANG questionnaire, owing to its simplicity and high sensitivity, may be useful for the early identification of individuals at moderate risk of impaired HRQoL. These findings support the value of integrating OSA risk screening into population-based health strategies to promote HRQoL. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep problem where breathing stops during sleep. Many people with OSA are not diagnosed, even though the condition can reduce energy, raise health risks, and lower quality of life. This study was done to find out how the risk of OSA affects how people feel and function in daily life.We used national data from South Korea to examine this. People were grouped by their risk for OSA using the STOP-BANG questionnaire, a simple screening tool. We measured their quality of life using the HINT-8, which looks at physical ability, pain, mental health, and daily functioning.The study found that people with a moderate risk of OSA had lower quality of life than those with low risk. These results remained even after adjusting for age, sex, income, and health conditions.Our findings suggest that people who are at risk for OSA already experience reduced well-being, even if they have not been diagnosed. Simple tools like STOP-BANG can help identify these individuals early so that they can receive care and improve their quality of life.