Incidence of OSA frequent among private school students: AIIMS study

A three years study conducted by researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reveals that nearly 15 -20 percent private school students are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) while government school students suffering is only 2 percent.

The researchers have completed the first phase of study while examining over 7,000 students within the age group of 10-17 years. The study is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology and Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR).

"We are doing a study whose conclusive findings are very dramatic and it reveals that in the government schools, the cases of sleep apnea is very low. However, in private schools, we see a huge presence of OSA in the students. It is an ongoing study but the data found in the first phase is so startling that we want to know what will be the result after the completion of the study," said Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS.

Sleep apnea is caused by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep. Several risk factors, including obesity, male sex, age, and heredity, have been associated with an increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in the general population.

Among these, obesity is one of the strongest sleep apnea risk factors (12-15 years). Mild to moderate obesity has been associated with markedly increased sleep apnea prevalence.

As of now, the study has been conducted in 13-14 schools, including Father Agnel School and Delhi Public School RK Puram among others.

Stating that there were several difficulties in screening the children, Guleria added that several parents refused to get their children screened claiming that they did not have any problem. Under the project, the organisers aim to cover the entire National Capital Region, however as of now only south Delhi has been covered.

Speaking of the causes behind the high presence of OSA among the students of private students, Guleria said: "Students in private schools have a poor diet and lifestyle in comparison to students in government schools. Data also shows that government school students have more physical activities such as walking."

He added that despiteMinistry of Human Resource Development's directive to schools to participate in the study, several schools did not cooperate.

Commenting on the study, Director General of ICMR Saumya Swaminathan stated that OSA presence in school children is quite disturbing and there is a need for them to improve their lifestyle.