Common sleep disorder combinations can be fatal

Researchers at Flinders University say that people who suffer from both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to develop heart disease and are nearly 50% more likely to die than people without these two symptoms.

"Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are the two most common sleep disorders, affecting 10% to 30% of the population, but people often suffer from both diseases at the same time," Flinders Institute of Health and Medical: Sleep Health Said Dr.

"Previously, little was known about the effects of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (COMISA), but what we know is that for people with these two diseases, their health outcomes are always better than those without.

Now, in a new study published in the European Journal of Respiration, Flinders researchers have studied a large data set of more than 5,000 people in the United States to understand the risks of COMISA

These participants were approximately 60 years old at the beginning of the study, 52% of them were women, and they were followed for about 15 years, during which time 1,210 people died

The results showed that, compared with those without insomnia and sleep apnea, participants with COMISA were twice as likely to develop high blood pressure and 70% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease

The study also showed that compared with participants without insomnia or sleep apnea, participants with COMISA had a 47% increased risk of death from any cause, even if other factors known to increase mortality were taken into account

Dr.

"Considering that these people face greater health risks, it is important that people who are screened for one disease should also be screened for another disease

Although further research is needed to investigate what causes the higher risk of death in COMISA patients, the researchers say that in order to ensure that the treatment is effective, further research is needed

Dr.

The Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health at Flinders University is continuing research to understand why insomnia and sleep apnea occur so frequently at the same time, and to develop more effective treatments