Men Beware. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Daytime Snoozing Linked to Depression

A new study has found links between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression in men.

The five-year study involved 860 men aged between 35 and 83 years. The subjects were evaluated twice for depression during the study and also underwent sleep studies to determine if they had obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers found that men with OSA had twice the risk of depression compared to those without the condition.

"Many of the symptoms of OSA and depression overlap, such as tiredness, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, low vitality and poor concentration. The two conditions also share some common risk factors, such as advancing age," said the study's researcher Carol Lang of the University of Adelaide, Australia.

Lang's study also found that excessive daytime sleepiness combined with OSA increased depression risk five-fold. However the study does not explain a causal effect.

While Lang expressed uncertainty if the findings apply to women, she said that women have more depression and those with OSA experience severe symptoms. A similar study is being planned with women.

The study has not been published yet but its findings were presented at the meeting of America Thoracic Society this week.