How OSA Evolves From Childhood to Young Adulthood: Natural History From a 10-Year Follow-up Study

Kate C. Chan, Chun T. Au, L. L. Hui, Siu kwan Ng, Yun K. Wing, Albert M. Li

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Understanding the natural history of childhood OSA can help to determine disease prognosis and to guide risk stratification and management strategies. Methods: To evaluate the natural history of childhood OSA and factors associated with spontaneous remission and persistent and incident OSA from childhood to late adolescence/early adulthood, a longitudinal analysis of a prospective community-based cohort was designed. Subjects from a cohort established for an OSA prevalence study were invited to participate in this 10-year follow-up study. Results: Two hundred and forty-three participants (59% male) took part, and their mean age was 9.8 (SD, ± 1.8) and 20.2 (SD, ± 1.9) years at baseline and follow-up, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 10.4 (SD, ± 1.1) years. Associations between baseline and follow-up log-transformed obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) differed by age; a significant positive association was observed only among participants aged 10 years or older at baseline. Overall polysomnographic remission rate (with OAHI < 1 event/h at follow-up) of childhood OSA was 30%, and 69% had an OAHI < 5 events/h at follow-up. Complete remission of OSA was associated with female sex. Incidence of adolescent/adult OSA with an OAHI ≥ 5 events/h at follow-up was 22%. Male sex and higher baseline BMI z score were associated with incident OSA. Conclusions: A proportion of children with OSA, particularly female children, had complete resolution during transition to late adolescence or early adulthood. Childhood and adolescent OSA are distinct entities, with the latter more likely to persist into adulthood. Obesity and male sex are consistent key risk factors for incident OSA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-130
Number of pages11
JournalChest
Volume156
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • children
  • longitudinal study
  • natural history
  • sleep apnea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How OSA Evolves From Childhood to Young Adulthood: Natural History From a 10-Year Follow-up Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this