Abstract: Objectives To explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and its relationship with the polysomnogrphy (PSG) results and with excessive daytime sleepiness. Methods 64 patients with OSAHS and 50 control subjects were measured for HRQoL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 survey (SF-36) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The differences were examined by an independent-sample t test. The associations between the SF-36 and PSG results, ESS and other physical parameters were examined by simple linear correlation analysis and multiple stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results Excessive daytime sleepiness was found in OSAHS patients. 4 of 8 domains and the total scores on the SF-36 of patients with OSAHS were significantly lower than those in the controls. In OSAHS patients, 6 of 8 domains and the total scores on the SF-36 patients were significantly correlated with the ESS scores. ESS scores and the total scores on SF-36 were significantly correlated with arousal indexes on PSG. The total scores on SF-36 were significantly correlated with the SaO2<90％ sleep percentages on PSG. ESS scores served as an independent factor for predicting the total scores on SF-3 which accounted for 26.9% of the total variance. Conclusions The HRQoL of patients with OSAHS decreases compared with the controls, and excessive daytime sleepiness, nocturnal durative hypoxemia, and sleep disruption seem to play important roles.

Key words: Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, obstructive, Health-related quality of life, Polysomnogrphy, Excessive daytime sleepiness