Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), known for causing frequent breathing pauses during sleep, is associated with various health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A study published on December 26, 2025, in JAMA Network Open suggests a connection between OSA and mental health disorders, including depression.
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The researchers analyzed health data from a long-term aging study involving over 30,000 participants aged 45 to 85 at the study's outset. Given that OSA is often undiagnosed, they utilized a risk assessment tool. A person was considered at high risk if they exhibited two or more indicators: snoring, daytime sleepiness, reported apnea, or high blood pressure. Initially, about 23% of participants fell into the high-risk category, which increased to 27% three years later. Those identified as high risk for OSA had approximately 40% higher odds of being diagnosed with depression, mood disorders (including bipolar disorder and mania), or anxiety disorders (such as phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorder) compared to those who did not meet these criteria.