Changes in Depressive Symptoms after Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Means, Melanie K. Ph.D. 1; Lichstein, Kenneth L. Ph.D. 2; Edinger, Jack D. Ph.D. 1,3; Taylor, Daniel J. M.S. 4; Durrence, H. Heith M.S. 2; Husain, Aatif M. M.D. 1,3; Aguillard, R. Neal M.D. 5; Radtke, Rodney A. M.D. 3
[Article] Sleep & Breathing. 7(1):31-42, 2003.

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It is generally believed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes depression in some patients, yet it is unknown whether this depression is an actual clinical phenomenon or purely a result of overlapping somatic/physical symptoms shared by both disorders. The present study investigated changes in both somatic and affective/cognitive symptoms of depression associated with the introduction of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA. Participants were 39 outpatients (35 males, 4 females) with no current or past mental health problems, diagnosed with OSA in a hospital sleep disorders clinic. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered prior to treatment and again 3 months after CPAP. Total BDI scores improved after CPAP, independent of objectively monitored CPAP compliance rates. Both somatic and affective/cognitive symptoms of depression improved in a similar manner after treatment. Our findings suggest that depressive symptoms experienced by OSA patients are not solely the result of physical OSA symptoms but include a mood component as well. We introduce a hypothetical model to conceptualize the relationship between OSA and depression.

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