Disguising symptoms and a lack of treatment options: living with obstructive sleep apnea before, during and after diagnosis

The ongoing underdiagnosis and undertreatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) suggests an urgent need to better understand the broader implications of living with this condition. This qualitative study aimed to understand the wider psychosocial impact of living with OSA. Eight participants diagnosed with OSA (75% male; <i>M</i> age = 46.25 years) were asked to take part in semi-structured interviews over Zoom. Inductive and deductive methods were used to conduct a thematic analysis of the data. We identified three themes. Each theme discusses a core aspect of living with OSA before, during and after diagnosis. We identified disguising tiredness as a coping mechanism used pre-diagnosis which, along with misattribution of tiredness to lifestyle factors, may contribute to underdiagnosis of OSA. There was also evidence for the undertreatment of OSA and a bidirectional relationship between OSA treatment and supportive networks. We recommend implementing standardised screening practices, providing more thorough OSA knowledge for the general population as well as primary care health providers, and offering complementary treatment options. We would argue that more qualitative research is needed to understand the patient's perspective of living with OSA.