Conclusions
In conclusion, the available data confirm that even mild OSA is associated with impairment in HRQoL [30]. Our study shows that disease severity is not related to HRQoL perception. BMI affects physical health perception as evaluated by SF-12 PCS, and hypoxemia influences the latter HRQoL dimension and Vitality (PGWBI subscale). HRQoL among subjects referred for suspicion of OSA is mostly related to subjective excessive daytime sleepiness which in our sample, as well as in other studies, is not always present in OSA subjects. Sleep disorders have a great impact on HRQoL because they impair an individual normal function, mood, and well-being, making their assessment of paramount importance to patients. PGWBI questionnaire, used for the first time in OSA population to our knowledge, proved to be a useful tool to analyze which dimensions of HRQoL are most impaired in a population afferent to a sleep lab. Our sample presents slightly lower scores than the averages of the general population reported by the manuals of the questionnaires [13,15]. Thus, from a clinical point of view, our data reinforce the importance of investigating HRQoL in patients afferent to a sleep lab, even in those without OSAS. HRQoL therefore appears necessary for a complete assessment of patients and to program specific individualized interventions to improve well-being.