Social support, mastery, sleep-related problems and their association with functional status in untreated obstructive sleep apnoea patients.

BACKGROUND: Social support and mastery are important aspects in the treatment of chronic diseases, however their role in connection with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES: The study examined the associations between social support, mastery, sleep-related problems and functional status in untreated OSA patients.

METHODS: All patients in this cross-sectional study completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Pearlin Mastery Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: Participants were 150 newly diagnosed OSA patients (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index-AHI≥5; 68% male; mean age 48.9 ± 9.5years). Compared with social support, mastery was more strongly associated with functional status. The indirect effects of sleep-related problems on functional status via mastery varied between 17.7% and 23.3%.

CONCLUSIONS: Supporting OSA patients' sense of mastery may significantly contribute to better disease management.