0607 OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA ILLNESS PERCEPTION RELATIVE TO OTHER COMMON CHRONIC CONDITIONS

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2017-04, Vol.40 (suppl_1), p.A225-A225
• Main Authors: Zamora, T, Deering, S, Sarmiento, K, Stepnowsky, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic illnesses; Perceptions; Sleep apnea
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleepj/zsx050.606

Abstract Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disease and highly prevalent in Veterans.. Better insight into illness perceptions can help us understand how patients cope with a chronic conditions like OSA and may predict treatment engagement. Methods: Data from a completed clinical trial on Veterans with OSA was examined. Baseline Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) was obtained from diagnostic sleep testing. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) is designed to rapidly assess the cognitive and emotional representation of illness. It is an 8-item measure, each of which is rated on a ten-point Likert scale. Each item measures one dimension of illness perception. High scores (sum of items) indicates a more threatening perception of illness. The BIPQ was administered at baseline, 2-month and 4-month time points. Results: 129 patients diagnosed with OSA were studied. The sample had a mean age of 52.7 ± 14.5, mean AHI of 26.4 ± 13.3 and mean BMI of 31.1 ± 4.9. The mean BIPQ total score at baseline was 44.7 ± 10.6. At baseline, each dimension had a mean of: consequence (6.8 ± 2.4), timeline (6.9 ± 3.0), personal control (4.6 ± 3.0), treatment control (8.0 ± 2.1), identity (7.4 ± 2.4), illness concern (8.6 ± 2.0), coherence (7.8 ± 2.1), and emotional representation (6.3 ± 3.0). Baseline AHI was correlated with personal control and treatment control (r=0.22 and r=0.28, respectively; p