AbstractBackgroundOver 1 billion individuals across the globe experience some form of sleep apnea, and this number is steadily rising. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can negatively influence one’s quality of life and potentially increase the risk of mortality. However, this association between OSA and mortality has not been comprehensively and thoroughly explored. This meta-analysis was conducted to conclusively estimate the risk of death for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in OSA patients.Study Design4,613 articles from databases including PUBMED, OVID & Joana Briggs, and SCOPUS were comprehensively assessed by two reviewers (AES & ESH) for inclusion criteria. 28 total articles were included, with 22 of them being used for quantitative analysis. Pooled effects of all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and sudden death were calculated by utilizing the metaprop function in R Statistical Software and the random-effects model with appropriate 95% confidence intervals.ResultsAnalysis on 42,032 individuals revealed that those with OSA were twice as likely to die from cardiac mortality compared to those without sleep apnea (HR= 1.94, 95%CI 1.39-2.70). Likewise, individuals with OSA were 1.7 times as likely to die from all-cause sudden death compared to individuals without sleep apnea (HR= 1.74, 95%CI 1.40-2.10). There was a significant dose response relationship between severity of sleep apnea and incidence risk of death, where those with severe sleep apnea wereConclusionsIndividuals with obstructive sleep apnea are at an increased risk for all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Further research related to appropriate interventions and treatments are necessary in order to reduce this risk and optimize survival in this population.Key MessagesWhat is the key question?Are individuals with sleep apnea at an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality and sudden death?What is the bottom Line?Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and sudden death, with a dose response relationship, where those with severe sleep apnea are at the highest risk of mortality.Why read on?This is the first systematic review and meta-analyses to synthesize and quantify the risk of mortality in those with sleep apnea, highlighting important directions for future research.Prospero Registration IDCRD42020164941
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