Does obstructive sleep apnea influence musculoskeletal pain and perceived stress? A cross-sectional study of EPISONO

• Grant number: 24/17991-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Monica Levy Andersen
• Grantee: João Matheus Ichiro Cardoso Saito
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by the partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in sleep fragmentation and intermittent hypoxemia. The global prevalence of OSA is alarming, affecting approximately 1 billion individuals. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between sleep disorders, such as OSA, and chronic pain conditions, including musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Sleep fragmentation, commonly observed in OSA, leads to increased stress levels and a diminished capacity to cope with physical and emotional stressors. Chronic stress, in turn, can heighten pain perception and contribute to the persistence and intensification of chronic pain conditions. Although most studies focus on the relationship between OSA and orofacial pain, MSP, which is highly prevalent and equally disabling, and the impact of perceived stress remain underexplored, highlighting a gap in the integrated understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of pain and sleep. Objective: To investigate the correlation within the triad of OSA, MSP, and perceived stress in individuals of both sexes aged between 20 and 80 years in a population-based study.Methods: The study will utilize data from the 4th edition of EPISONO, a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. Information on MSP and perceived stress will be obtained using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Data related to sleep will be gathered using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The diagnosis of OSA will be made using polysomnography, following the classification of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Data analyses will be performed using SPSS software.Expected Results: It is anticipated that the study will establish an association between perceived stress, MSP, and OSA, as well as determine the epidemiological profile and risk factors involved in this triad.