Health Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Sleep apnoea is a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apnoeic events, occur when the muscles in the throat relax excessively, leading to a partial or complete blockage of the airway. As a result, individuals with sleep apnoea experience a momentary drop in blood oxygen levels, which prompts their brains to briefly awaken to resume normal breathing. These awakenings are often so brief that they go unnoticed by the individual, but they disrupt the sleep cycle, preventing the person from experiencing restful, restorative sleep.
In a groundbreaking longitudinal study, researchers from the University of Melbourne have made significant strides in tracing childhood risk factors linked to the development of obstructive sleep apnoea later in life. This study, featured in the latest issue of Respirology, is the first of its kind to investigate this area comprehensively.
The research reveals that certain childhood exposures, such as parental smoking and a history of respiratory tract infections during childhood, are significant risk factors contributing to obstructive sleep apnoea in middle-aged adults. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by the relaxation of throat muscles during sleep, resulting in partial or complete airway blockage.
Common symptoms of this condition include loud snoring and noisy breathing, which can severely affect overall sleep quality and overall health, often leaving individuals feeling persistently fatigued.
To conduct this study, data from 3,550 individuals were analyzed, drawn from the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS), dating back to 1968. A longitudinal study approach, which involves the collection of data from the same group of individuals over an extended period, was employed to track changes and relationships over time.
The study unveiled several childhood risk factors that were associated with a heightened likelihood of developing probable obstructive sleep apnoea. These factors encompassed maternal asthma and smoking, parents’ smoking habits, as well as a history of childhood pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.
Chamara Senaratna, a Research Fellow from the Allergy and Lung Health Unit within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the significance of this research as it presents the first-ever documented evidence of childhood risk factors associated with the onset of this disorder.
“This study should stimulate further research into this area, including flagging the future risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea,” explained Dr Senaratna.
“It may be useful in a clinical setting to create awareness and vigilance in at-risk groups.”
Researchers pointed out that it is estimated that approximately one billion adults worldwide experience obstructive sleep apnoea, although the condition remains underdiagnosed.
Dr. Senaratna further indicated that there are numerous well-known risk factors associated with the development of this condition, including obesity, advancing age, and carrying excess weight around the abdominal area. Additionally, males are more prone to developing obstructive sleep apnoea.
The senior author of the study, Professor Shyamali Dharmage, who heads the Allergy and Lung Health Unit, emphasized that undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea is linked to various chronic health issues, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and even cancer.
“We view this study as a stepping stone for further research into this field,” added Professor Dharmage.
As sleep apnoea is such a serious problem impacting many lives across the world the findings of this study are likely to be a huge benefit to apnoea researcher across the world.
The TAHS, a comprehensive longitudinal study, has unfolded over a span of six decades, with its participants undergoing examination every ten years.
Currently, it is under the leadership of the University of Melbourne’s Allergy and Lung Health Unit in collaboration with several esteemed institutions, including the University of Tasmania, Monash University, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, and University of Western Australia.
