RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA, METABOLIC SYNDROME, AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: AND EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a chronic respiratory disorder with high prevalence, characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxia, sleep architecture fragmentation, and sustained sympathetic activation. This study aimed to assess prior knowledge, map the prevalence of symptoms and cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, and promote awareness and health education regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea among students of the technical nursing course at a state school in the municipality of Castelo, Espírito Santo, Brazil. This is an educational intervention study with a quantitative-qualitative approach and a cross-sectional design, conducted on May 17, 2026. The analysis revealed that 42.6% of participants reported morning symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing, such as dry mouth, headache, and a feeling of non-restorative sleep, while 20.4% reported excessive thirst upon waking. Regarding metabolic aspects, 25.9% of respondents reported a simultaneous diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular morbidities, 29.6% indicated the presence of diabetes in first-degree relatives, and 25.9% reported a family history of severe snoring or CPAP use. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in the sample was 26.43 kg/m², consistent with overweight. The epidemiological findings revealed a high prevalence of complaints consistent with OSA and their significant correlation with metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, reinforcing the urgency of early screening. The educational intervention proved effective as a training tool for future nursing technicians, promoting the identification of warning signs and awareness of the risks associated with the underdiagnosis of the disease. It is recommended to expand the action to other educational institutions and integrate it with primary health care (SUS) to strengthen the prevention and management of comorbidities related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the southern region of Espírito Santo.