Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is a major health public problem, with a possible contribution to cardiovascular disease and obesity. There is evidence of a bidirectional relationship between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. There is little to no reporting of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in rural subjects. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome among obese patients visiting the outpatient Department of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among obese individuals who attended a tertiary care centre between 4 June 2018 to 6 August 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.
Results: Among 33 patients, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome was seen in 5 (15.15%) (2.92-27.38, 95% Confidence Interval) patients. Among 33, 3 (60%) were female and 2 (40%) male.
Conclusions: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome was similar to other studies done in similar settings.
Keywords: obesity; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; polysomnography; waist circumference.