Clinical Characteristics of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Military Personnel Evaluated by Sleep Study at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital (AFCH) and to identify key risk factors associated with the disorder in the military population.Method: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 1,119 patients who underwent Level III sleep study at the AFCH between October 2017 and December 2023. Demographic information, comorbidities, symptoms, and treatment data were collected. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and univariate logistic regression were performed to identify clinical associations.Results : Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most common diagnosis, and its severity was associated with increasing age and body mass index. Obesity was highly prevalent and showed a strong association with snoring and respiratory event indices. Cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities were frequently observed and linked to greater risk of severe OSA. Subjective symptoms did not consistently correlate with objective sleep indices, indicating the limitations of symptom-based screening. Mandibular advancement devices were the most commonly prescribed treatment, especially in mild-to-moderate OSA.Conclusion : This study highlights the distinct clinical profile of military patients with SDB and underscores the importance of objective assessment beyond symptom reporting. Given the high prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic comorbidities, early screening and intervention strategies tailored to military settings are needed to improve health outcomes and operational readiness.