Abstract
Background:
Consumption of caffeinated beverages, typically, coffee, tea, and soft drinks, is very common in the general community. Patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) may consume excessive caffeinated beverages to alleviate sleepiness. In this study, we examined if there is an association between SDB and caffeine consumption in an Australian sleep clinic population.
Methods:
This was an observational study conducted in consecutive subjects who underwent a polysomnography study in our sleep laboratory. Caffeine use was quantified as the number of cups of coffee or tea consumed per day. Soft drink consumption was quantified as either low (<500 mL/day) or high (≥500 mL/day). Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Results:
Data were available for analysis in 102 subjects (mean age 57 years; 54% male). Seventy-seven percent of subjects stated that they consumed one or more cups of coffee per day (77%), 51% stated that they consumed one or more cups of tea per day, and 43% stated that they regularly drank soft drinks per day. There was no correlation between the apnea–hypopnea index and self-reported coffee (r = 0.049, p = 0.63), tea (r = −0.003, p = 0.097), and soft drink consumption (r = 0.008, p = 0.935).
Conclusions:
Caffeine use is common among patients with SDB. However there is no relationship between the severity of SDB and caffeine consumption. Identifying excessive caffeine use may assist physicians in the management of the adverse cardiovascular effects of caffeine and untreated SDB.
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