A meta-analysis of 15 studies spanning 13,157 Chilean adults found 25% screened positive for moderate-to-high obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk using the STOP-Bang questionnaire . The research is limited by reliance on symptom questionnaires rather than objective diagnostic testing, which means actual prevalence remains uncertain.
Obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated one billion people globally, yet remains dramatically underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in middle and lower-income countries. Chile, classified as a high-income country by World Bank standards but with significant regional disparities, has not been well-characterized in the sleep apnea epidemiology literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to fill that gap by synthesizing all available prevalence data from the Chilean population.
Researchers searched seven databases and identified 15 studies published between unspecified dates, collectively enrolling 13,157 participants. The pooled analysis found that 25% (95% CI: 16-34%) of the population met criteria for moderate-to-high OSA risk based on a STOP-Bang questionnaire score above 3. This represents a substantial proportion, though the wide confidence interval (16-34%) and very high heterogeneity (I-squared = 98.4%) signal that prevalence estimates varied considerably across the included studies. This variability likely reflects differences in study populations, sampling methods, and how consistently the screening tool was applied.
A critical limitation emerged in how the studies assessed OSA. The STOP-Bang questionnaire, which was used in most studies, is a symptom-based screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Only three of the fifteen studies employed respiratory polygraphy, the objective measurement standard for confirming OSA diagnosis. The remaining studies relied on questionnaires like the Berlin Questionnaire and sleep quality indices that cannot distinguish true OSA from other sleep disturbances or symptom mimics. The most commonly reported symptoms were snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and witnessed breathing pauses, but screening positive for these symptoms does not establish the presence of actual airway collapse during sleep.
The authors explicitly acknowledge this evidence gap: the findings reflect a substantial burden of OSA risk based mainly on screening questionnaires, not confirmed cases. To accurately estimate OSA prevalence and inform public health policy, the review highlights the urgent need for population-based studies using standardized, objective diagnostic tools like home sleep testing or attended polysomnography across diverse Chilean populations.
If you live in Chile or a similar regional context, this finding suggests OSA risk screening is worthwhile, particularly if you experience snoring, daytime sleepiness, or have witnessed apneas during sleep. However, a positive screening result is not a diagnosis. The next step is objective testing through a sleep study, which remains the only way to confirm OSA severity and guide treatment decisions.
For individuals concerned about sleep-related breathing: Nasal breathing during waking hours may reduce airway collapse risk, though the evidence specific to OSA is limited. Sleep position (side-sleeping rather than supine) can improve breathing in mild OSA. Alcohol reduction is evidence-supported since alcohol relaxes airway muscles and worsens apnea severity. Sleep duration itself does not treat OSA, but untreated sleep apnea severely disrupts sleep architecture, creating a compounding problem.
Weight management is among the strongest modifiable factors for OSA risk reduction, though this meta-analysis did not stratify results by BMI. If you screen positive on a questionnaire, priority is confirmation through sleep testing rather than empirical behavioral changes alone.
| Detail | Finding |
|---|---|
| Study type | Systematic review and meta-analysis |
| Participants | 13,157 adults across 15 Chilean studies |
| Sample size | Range not specified per individual study |
| Primary outcome | Pooled OSA risk prevalence (STOP-Bang score >3) |
| Result | 25% (95% CI: 16-34%, I2 = 98.4%) |
| Assessment tools | STOP-Bang (most frequent), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin Questionnaire, sleep quality indices |
| Diagnostic confirmation | Only 3 of 15 studies used respiratory polygraphy |
| Key symptoms reported | Snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, witnessed apneas |
| Publication | Revista Medica de Chile |
| Evidence tier | B tier (meta-analysis, but limited by screening-only methodology) |
Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Chile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Revista Medica de Chile. PubMed ID: 42585438.
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