Types of coping strategies are associated with increased depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Study Objectives: Some, but not all, researchers report that obstructive sl eep apnea (OSA) patients experience increased depressive symptoms. Many psy chological symptoms of OSA are explained in part by other OSA comorbidities (age, hypertension, body mass). People who use more passive and less activ e coping report more depressive symptoms. We examined relationships between coping and depressive symptoms in OSA. Setting: N/A Design/Participants: 64 OSA (respiratory disturbance index (RDI)greater tha n or equal to 115) patients were studied with polysomnography and completed Ways of Coping (WC), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Center for Epidemiolog ical Studies-Depression (CESD) scales. WC was consolidated into Approach (a ctive) and Avoidance (passive) factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS 9.0 r egression with CESD as the dependent variable and WC Approach and Avoidance as the independent variables. Interventions: N/A Measurements and Results: WC Approach factor (B=-1.105, beta=-.317, p=.009) was negatively correlated and WC Avoidance factor (B=1.353, beta=.376, p=. 007) was positively correlated with CESD scores. These factors explained an additional 8% of CESD variance (p < .001) beyond that explained by the cov ariates: demographic variables, RDI, and fatigue (as measured by the POMS). Conclusions: More passive and less active coping was associated with more d epressive symptoms in OSA patients, The extent of depression experienced by OSA patients may not be due solely to effects of OSA itself. Choice of cop ing strategies may help determine who will experience more depressive sympt oms.