RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Estimating the Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Among Collegiate Football Players
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP respcare.04520
DO 10.4187/respcare.04520
A1 Devon A Dobrosielski
A1 Dalton Nichols
A1 Julia Ford
A1 Amy Watts
A1 Joshua N Wilder
A1 Tamara Douglass-Burton
YR 2016
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2016/03/15/respcare.04520.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is a clinical disorder characterized by loud snoring, apneic episodes, and chronic sleep disruption. Collegiate football players exhibit several risk factors for OSA, including large neck circumference and high body mass index, although the prevalence of OSA in this cohort is unknown.METHODS: The STOP-BANG questionnaire was administered at random to members of a collegiate football team and used to stratify the players into high and low risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Those who completed the questionnaire were then evaluated for SDB during preseason camp using a single-channel (finger pulse oximetry) photoplethysmography-based device. SDB was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index of ≥5.RESULTS: Of 56 players who underwent overnight photoplethysmography monitoring, valid results were available for 51. Forty-eight percent of the players were high-risk (neck size = 44.6 ± 2.2 cm, body mass index = 33.0 ± 5.4) versus low-risk (neck size = 41.4 ± 2.8 cm, body mass index = 27.6 ± 3.6) (both P values <.001). An apnea-hypopnea index of ≥5 was found in 2 (8.3%, 95% CI 1.0–20.0%) high-risk and 2 (7.7, 95% CI 1.0–18.4%) low-risk players. Two offensive linemen, a linebacker, and a tight end accounted for the positive cases.CONCLUSIONS: Based on our sample, we estimate the prevalence of SDB among collegiate football players to be 8%, regardless of risk stratification. Given the strong link between SDB and cardiovascular disease, these data underscore the importance of screening and subsequent treatment of SDB in this highly conditioned yet potentially vulnerable group of athletes.