ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SLEEP DISORDERS AND VISION PROBLEMS AMONG FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE

• Main Author: Ikram, Bisma
• Other Authors: Pahwa, Punam, Janzen , Bonnie, Engler-Stringer, Rachel, Shahid, Rabia
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Saskatchewan 2023
• Subjects: First Nation; Vision problems; Sleep disorders; Sleep apnea; Clinical insomnia; Epworth sleepiness score; Depression; Mediation analysis; First Nations
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10388/14827

Background: Sleep disorders have an adverse effect on the quantity and quality of sleep, leading to reduced alertness and impaired ability to function normally. Recent studies show sleep disorders can cause vision-threatening conditions. Most research has not considered Indigenous people living in on-reserve communities. Thus, current knowledge regarding sleep disorders and vision problems among Indigenous people is limited. Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of vision problems and examined the association between sleep disorders and vision problems among First Nations living on-reserve communities in Saskatchewan. Additionally, potential mediators in this relationship were explored. Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from "Assess, Redress, Re-assess: Addressing Disparities in Sleep Health among First Nations People," an ongoing cohort study. A survey was conducted in 2018-2019 with approximately 588 individuals in two First Nation communities. In the present study, the outcome variable was vision problems. Primary predictors were sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), and STOP-BANG. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and generalized structural equation modelling were employed. Results: The prevalence of vision problems was 18.71%. Sleep apnea, clinical insomnia, and ESS were significantly associated with vision problems after adjusting for other variables. The odds of having vision problems were 2.93 times (95% CI: 1.19 – 7.19) higher among those who self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea and 2.21 times (95% CI: 1.12 – 4.37) higher among participants with clinical insomnia. Similarly, with each unit increase in ESS, the likelihood of developing vision problems increased by 1.11 (95% CI: 0.97- 1.28). Mediation analysis revealed that depression accounted for approximately 32% of the association between sleep disorders and vision problems. Conclusion: These findings indicate a higher prevalence of vision problems and a ...