Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common condition that disrupts normal breathing during sleep. Beyond causing daytime tiredness, OSA can also impact a person's cognitive functions, such as their attention span, memory, and problem-solving skills, which may in turn affect their overall quality of life. The main purpose of this study is to compare the thinking and memory skills of adults recently diagnosed with OSA against a control group of healthy adults without the condition. Furthermore, the researchers aim to understand how specific cognitive challenges (like difficulty sustaining attention) relate to a patient's physical and mental well-being. Participants in the study will undergo an overnight sleep test (diagnostic polysomnography) at a sleep clinic. Shortly after the sleep test, participants will complete a series of short, computer-based tasks designed to measure their attention, memory, and executive function. They will also be asked to fill out standard questionnaires regarding their daily sleepiness, mood, and health-related quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients Group: Age \> 18 years. * Patients Group: Meeting the AASM diagnostic criteria for OSA. * Control Group: Age and sex-matched community members related to the patients. * Control Group: Education level, social status, and comorbidity-matched people. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients Group: OSA patients who are compliant on PAP therapy (\> 4 hours, \> 5 nights/week) for ≥ 6 months. * Patients Group: Inability to comprehend and/or co-operate with the instructions provided by the investigators during neurocognitive function assessment. * Patients Group: History of neurological comorbidities with potential cognitive impairment (previous cerebrovascular stroke, dementia). * Patients Group: Patients who are maintained on medications that potentially impair cognitive performance (histamine receptor antagonist, antipsychotic, antidepressant, or mood stabilizer drugs). * Patients Group: Use of alcohol, or illicit drugs that interfere with cognitive function (cannabis, opioids, amphetamine or equivalents). * Control Group: Intermediate or high-risk of having undiagnosed OSA as assessed by the STOP-BANG questionnaire.