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The pooled prevalence of moderate-to-high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the Chilean population is 25%

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 13,157 participants found that the pooled prevalence of moderate-to-high risk of OSA (defined by STOP-Bang score >3) in Chile is 25% (95% CI: 16-34%). The most frequently reported symptoms were snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and witnessed apneas. The findings are based mainly on screening questionnaires, with only three studies using respiratory polygraphy.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score47/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Chile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

observational

Vasconcello-Castillo L, Torres-Castro R, Otto-Yáñez M, Albertini CS, Solis-Navarro I, Cisternas A, Torres ME, Araos DZ, Vera-Uribe R · Revista medica de Chile (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: No intervention; this is an observational prevalence study
Outcome: Prevalence of moderate-to-high risk of OSA (STOP-Bang score >3), and reported symptoms (snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, witnessed apneas)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Chilean population (general population samples from 15 studies)

Result:

PubMed: 42585438DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872026000600922

Mechanism Graph

Systematic search across seven databases for studies on OSA prevalence/risk in Chile
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Screening and inclusion of 15 studies with 13,157 participants
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Data extraction on OSA risk using various tools (STOP-Bang, Epworth, Berlin, etc.)
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Meta-analysis with random-effects model to pool prevalence estimates
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Result: 25% pooled prevalence of moderate-to-high OSA risk

Limitations

  • ⚠Only three studies used objective diagnostic methods (respiratory polygraphy); most relied on screening questionnaires, which may overestimate or misclassify OSA risk
  • ⚠High heterogeneity (I²=98.4%) across studies, indicating variability in populations and methods

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea risk in Chile?▼

The pooled prevalence of moderate-to-high risk of OSA (STOP-Bang >3) is 25% (95% CI: 16-34%) based on a meta-analysis of 15 studies.

What tools were used to assess OSA risk in the Chilean studies?▼

The most frequently used tools were the STOP-Bang questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The Berlin Questionnaire and sleep quality indices were used less often. Only three studies used respiratory polygraphy.

What are the common symptoms of OSA in the Chilean population?▼

The most frequently reported symptoms were snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and witnessed apneas.

Why is the prevalence estimate based on screening questionnaires considered limited?▼

Screening questionnaires like STOP-Bang assess risk rather than confirm diagnosis, and only three studies used objective diagnostic methods (respiratory polygraphy), so the true prevalence of OSA may differ.

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References

  1. 1.Vasconcello-Castillo L, Torres-Castro R, Otto-Yáñez M, Albertini CS, Solis-Navarro I, Cisternas A, Torres ME, Araos DZ, Vera-Uribe R. "Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Chile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.." Revista medica de Chile, 2026. PMID: 42585438 DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872026000600922
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.