[2026-04-07] Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk and Related Factors in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a comorbidity with potential implications for cancer outcomes.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of OSA risk and related factors among patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 144 patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer at a tertiary hospital. The OSA risk was assessed using the STOP-BANG questionnaire, with a score ≥ 3 indicating intermediate to high risk. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of OSA risk.

Results: The prevalence of intermediate to high risk for OSA was 72.2% (95% CI, 64.4-79.0). Logistic regression analysis identified advanced cancer stage (stage II: OR [95% CI], 2.22 [0.88-5.60]; stage III: OR [95% CI], 3.32 [1.21-9.10]; stage IV: OR [95% CI], 6.05 [2.00-18.32]; all P < .05), smoking (OR [95% CI], 30.69 [5.53-170.31]; P < .001), and presence of comorbidities (OR [95% CI], 7.82 [2.14-28.51]; P < .01) as significant predictors of OSA risk. Other sociodemographic factors such as residence, marital status, educational level, and payment method were not statistically associated with OSA risk.

Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer are at risk for OSA, particularly those with advanced-stage disease, smoking history, and comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of routine OSA screening in lung cancer care, which may contribute to improved symptom management and potentially better oncologic outcomes. Integration of OSA evaluation into clinical pathways is warranted, especially in high-risk subgroups.