Healthcare burden of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity among asthma hospitalizations: Results from the U.S.-based Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background Studies have highlighted the significant comorbidities of both obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among asthma patients in outpatient settings, but such data in the inpatient setting is sparse. Methods Using 2009–2011 U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Sample; survey-weighted regression analyses were conducted to address the role of obesity, OSA, and both obesity and OSA on length of stay (LOS), total hospital charges, need for respiratory therapy, and disposition among adults with primary asthma hospitalization (n = 179,789). Results Males had a higher prevalence of OSA than females (5.23% vs. 3.88%), while females had a higher prevalence of obesity (17.21% vs. 8.95%) and both obesity and OSA (7.11% vs. 6.19%). Increased hospital LOS was associated with presence of obesity (incidence rate ratio [IRR] males = 1.07, IRR females = 1.08), OSA (IRR males = 1.07, IRR females = 1.14), and both obesity and OSA (IRR males = 1.19, IRR females = 1.24). Increased total hospital charges was related to obesity (8.64% for males and 9.61% for females), OSA (15.39% for males and 19.13% for females), and both comorbidities (24.94% for males and 28.50% for females). Presence of OSA alone increased odds of need for respiratory therapy for males (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56) and females (OR = 3.22), as did presence of both comorbidities (OR males = 2.85, OR females = 3.60). Odds of routine disposition was lower among females with both comorbidities (OR = 0.82). Conclusion Compared to obesity alone, OSA and both obesity and OSA are associated with increased health resource utilization and poorer inpatient outcomes. This demonstrates the need for further clinical investigations of early detection of OSA among such at-risk populations.